A man struggling in deep mud on Weston Beach was rescued by Coastguards and Burnham-On-Sea’s BARB rescue hovercraft on Wednesday (May 27th).
Crews were called to the beach shortly after 5pm, as pictured here, when concerns were raised for the man’s welfare as he struggled in the mud half a mile out from the hard sand.
A BARB Search & Rescue spokesman said: “Our volunteers were called out by HM Coastguard at 5.04pm to Weston beach where a man was reported to be struggling in deep mud a long distance from the shore, having attempted to reach the sea at low tide.”
“Our Light Of Elizabeth 2 hovercraft was taken by road to Weston where it was launched from the beach and flew out to the man, who was over a half mile from the hard sand.”
“The man was safely moved onboard the hovercraft by Coastguards and flown safely back to the beach where he was checked over by the Coastguards and found to be unharmed.”
While the hovercraft was on scene, a family was spotted by Coastguards further along the beach towards the Grand Pier, far out in the mud.
Coastguards tasked BARB’s crew with flying out to the grateful mum and two children – a boy and a girl – and bringing them back to the safety of the beach.
“This was a busy, multi–agency incident in hot conditions that again demonstrated close team working alongside our Coastguard colleagues from Burnham and Weston.”
BARB Operations Manager Mike Lowe added: “This is another example of excellent joint working with partner agencies, and testimony to the crews responding in these difficult times.”
“The incident serves as another reminder that people should avoid the mud in our area and enjoy the safety of the hard sand at the top of the beach.”
A spokesman for Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards added: “We were called to Weston to assist Weston-Super-Mare Coastguard Rescue Team with a mud rescue by Uphill beach.”
“Once the team arrived at Weston we kitted up two mud techs ready to assist the Weston Mud Techs who were already in action.”
“BARB arrived and were quickly launched to fly all concerned back from the mud that had exhausted the person who had ventured out too far and lost all energy to get back.”
“The mud along our coastline is something you don’t want to be caught out in. Soon as you start to become trapped you instantly drain your energy just pulling your leg out to take the next step.”
