Press Notice No: Duty
Monday, May 31, 2010
Posted 23:21 GMT

At twenty minutes past five this evening, Swansea Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received a 999 call from the local authority beach ranger reporting that he could see nine individuals trapped in mud three quarters of a mile offshore at Weston Super Mare.

Swansea coastguard called out the Weston and Burnham Coastguard rescue teams, requested the launch of both Weston RNLI lifeboats and requested the scramble of a rescue helicopter.

Five individuals were recovered from the mud by the rescue helicopter and the remaining four were recovered by the lifeboats. All were landed ashore into the care of the Coastguard rescue teams and waiting ambulance staff.

All nine were then subsequently transferred to the nearest hospital by various means sufferring from hypothermia. All were from Birmingham.

Bev Haigh, Watch Manager, Swansea Coastguard said:

The nine that were rescued were aged between six and twenty seven were a considerable distance from the shore on the mud with a rising tide.
There are warning signs at Weston Super Mare of the dangers of the mud and the fast incoming tide.
I would say to anyone thinking of venturing out and exploring the coastline in this area to seek local advice and please take notice of the signs.

Posted By: Fred Caygill

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401