Coastguard rescues casualty stuck in mud in Leigh

Following multiple 999 calls today, Southend Coastguard led the mission in the face of a fast, advancing tide off Two Tree Island in Leigh.

There was also a pressing need to pluck the casualty to safety to stop the onset of hypothermia. 
 
A passing paddle boarder was able to help the casualty and take them to the Two tree slipway to meet the lifeboat and the helicopter which landed on the slipway so that a medic could treat the casualty for the onset of hypothermia. 

Rescue - the crews in Leigh. Pic courtesy of HM Coastguard Southend

A spokesman said: "HM Coastguard Southend were tasked to reports of a person stuck in the mud off Two Tree Slipway Leigh post attending to their vessel offshore with a fast incoming tide and up to their waist in water following multi 999 calls made to HM Coastguard.

"With Southend Coastguard proceeding to scene, RNLI Southend Lifeboat sent their D class lifeboat and Coastguard Helicopter (Helo 163) was also requested, along with East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

"The casualty was taken to the Two tree slipway to meet Helo 163 which landed on the slipway so that a medic could treat the casualty for the onset of hypothermia.

"Helo 163 then departed and circled the scene to allow an ambulance crew to get access closer to the casualty. Once treated, Helo 163 landed back to collect their paramedic and departed back to Lydd base in Kent."

The casualty was treated in the ambulance and did not go to hospital.

All teams then stood down to return to their stations

The Coastguard spokesman added: "Thanks to all our partners today working together to ensure the casualty was extracted and treated quickly on scene."