People were cut off by high tides and one group had to retreat to avoid the rising water
Two people and their dog were found in “immediate danger” after being cut off by the tide. At 11am on Sunday (October 20), West Kirby RNLI was tasked by HM Coastguard, after receiving multiple emergency 999 calls, that two individuals had become cut off between Middle Eye and Little Eye in the Dee Estuary.
The volunteer crew investigated and soon found the two individuals and their dog, who were already ankle deep in water, with the water level rising rapidly due to the high tide. Meanwhile, one of the crew members spotted two additional people and two dogs being cut off between Hilbre Island and Middle Eye.
An assessment was made to pick up the initial two casualties and their dog first due to their immediate danger, while the two further casualties had managed to reach temporarily safe ground on Middle Eye. The lifeboat was manoeuvred around the north end of Hilbre Island to reach the first two casualties, who had retreated onto slippery rocks between Middle Eye and Little Eye to avoid the rising water.
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Both individuals and their dog were safely taken aboard the D class lifeboat, Leonard Pownall, and transferred to the awaiting BV lifeboat launch vehicle. The volunteer crew then returned to retrieve the two additional casualties and their two dogs from Middle Eye, being taken safely back ashore into the care of Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team.
The crew relaunched the lifeboat to carry out a check of the islands and then resumed their exercise, before returning to the station to clean and refuel ready for service by 1.15pm. Andy Brown, West Kirby RNLI launch authority, said: “It’s been a busy weekend for our West Kirby volunteer crew as a result of the continuing high spring tides and today’s strong winds, with 14 people and 4 dogs rescued in 48 hours.
“As always, we are grateful to the members of the public who did the right thing in calling the emergency services and asking for the Coastguard. Even though the individuals had planned their trips carefully, the tidal surge proved to be too strong.
“With high tides like those we’ve seen over the weekend, we’d recommend making your way back to shore from Little Eye no later than three hours before high tide. We’d also urge people to stick to the sand and not the rocks, as they can be exceptionally slippery and cause injury.
“The strong winds are expected to continue tomorrow, so we advise taking extra precautions if you’re near the coast. If in doubt, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard – our crew is here to help.
“After two emergency callouts and a long exercise within 48 hours, I’d like to thank the families of the crew, who, as always, tirelessly ‘hold the fort’ for us while we practise our skills and answer any call for help – it’s really appreciated.”
