Two groups of people became trapped in the water in the same area
22:19, 13 Jul 2025Updated 22:24, 13 Jul 2025
Teams responded to reports of a group cut off by the incoming tide near Leasowe Lighthouse(Image: Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team)
Two separate incidents that required coastguard intervention occurred today in a Merseyside town. Wirral coastguard teams responded to two separate reports of people in dangerous situations in the water on Sunday, July 13.
In one case a group was cut off by the incoming tide near Leasowe Lighthouse in Moreton, Wirral. Coastguard rescue officers quickly arrived on scene alongside RNLI Wirral lifeguards and located seven adults and five children trapped by the tide. The group had entered a flooding gully which began rising before advice could be given by coastguards.
Due to the speed of the incoming tide, one casualty was swept off their feet and began drifting. Coastguard rescue officer Jim Bennett acted quickly, deploying an emergency throwline which successfully reached the casualty, who was then pulled safely to shore.
Several members of the group were treated for cuts to their feet.
Later in the afternoon, while returning from another incident, one of the coastguard rescue team’s vehicles spotted three young males struggling in the same gully.
They were unable to touch the bottom and were being carried out by the outgoing tide.
RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat Station Hovercraft was launched to assist. Fortunately, all three reached the sandbank. Wirral Lifeguard paddled out on a rescue board to stay with them until the hovercraft brought them safely ashore.
The beach opposite Leasowe Lighthouse and the Green Hut Café is an area where people frequently become cut off by the tide.
Michael Buratti, Area Commander for HM Coastguard said: “The incoming tide will rapidly fill a gully, isolating a large sandbank and cutting off safe access back to shore.”
He advised: “Explore the beach as the tide is going out and make sure you know where the safe exit points are.”
Coastal safety advice
Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team have given the following advice:
- Always read and follow local safety signage
- Check tide times before heading out (e.g. BBC Tide Tables)
- Allow plenty of time to return via a safe route
- Carry a means of calling for help
- Never attempt to cross a flooding gully – it may be deeper and faster-moving than it appears
- In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard
More beach safety tips can be found on the HM coastguard website.