'Never attempt' - Wirral coastguard issues warning after dog walker cut off by fast-incoming tide
The Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team issued a warning after a local dog walker was stranded by the tide.
People are being reminded “anyone can get caught out” after a dog walker became stranded in a “waist-deep” gully in New Brighton.
Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team said the woman was cut off by the tide after ‘misjudging’ its speed, but was thankfully helped by a local fisherman.
In a statement on Thursday (January 9), a spokesperson for the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team said: “Our team was called this morning following 999 calls reporting a dog walker being cut off by the fast-incoming tide at North Bank, New Brighton.
“On arrival, Coastguard Rescue Officers located the dog walker stranded on a sandbank. She had begun wading waist-deep through a cold, fast-flooding gully in an attempt to return.
“A local fisherman on the beach entered the water to assist the female and her dogs. Thankfully, they were able to make it safely back to the safe side of the sandbank, where they were met by Coastguard Officers. No medical attention was required.
“The dog walker was local and familiar with the area but had slightly misjudged the speed of the incoming tide — a reminder that anyone can get caught out.”
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The Wirral Coastguard team warned members of the public that their safe route back can “disappear very quickly” as the tide comes in, and urged people to “never attempt to cross a flooding gully”.
Locals are advised to always read and follow safety signage, check tide times, allow plenty of time to return via a safe route, carry a means of calling for help and always call 999 in an emergency.