Bay Search and Rescue received the request for assistance from Holyhead Coastguard at 11.30am on Saturday, October 25.
This followed a 999 call describing the person being trapped, with concerns about a ‘big tide rapidly pushing in to the Bay’.
A spokesperson from Bay Search and Rescue said: “We immediately diverted from the planned route and headed round the coast toward Silverdale.
“Very quickly we came across the casualty who was lying on his back in a soft gulley – at first glance only his chest, head, one arm, and part of one leg [were] still visible, but because he had laid right, he was thankfully not in too deep, but completely exhausted and quite hypothermic.”
The crew prepared two Inflatable Rescue Air Pathways so that they could safely reach the man, and informed Holyhead MRCC of his exact location.
The spokesperson continued: “One pathway behind him to prevent him sinking further and the other in front, we carefully worked to free him.
“After just a few short minutes, he was safely out and on the pathway and able to crawl up onto dry land.”
He was immediately transferred to the rescue team’s Sherp for rewarming, as he was showing signs of hypothermia.
“Our medic assessed him and wrapped him in foil blankets whilst moving swiftly to a safer place for transfer,” the spokesperson added.
“As we left the scene, the tide had already begun to fill the gulley – a surreal reminder of just how close this call was.
“This rescue was a true display of teamwork across agencies — a reminder of the coordination, skill, and dedication that keeps our coastline safe.”
The casualty was transported to the Bob In Café ahead of the flooding tide, where he was handed over to the North West Ambulance Service for further assessment.
They worked alongside Arnside and South Lakes Coastguard Rescue Team, Cumbria Fire and Rescue, and Lancashire Fire and Rescue.
