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Fifteen rescued from rising tides near lighthouse

HM Coastguard A rescue officer in blue uniform and helmet appears to throw out a safety line from the sands acorss the water at Leasowe.HM Coastguard
Rescue officers helped save two groups at Leasowe in Merseyside

Fifteen people have been rescued from rising tides in two incidents at the same location, coastguard officers have said.

The first group, which included five children and seven adults, were "trapped by the tide" near Leasowe Lighthouse in Merseyside this morning, according to Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team.

It said three young males were also spotted being "carried out by the outgoing tide" in the same area later in the day.

The trio managed to reach the sandbank before a lifeguard paddled out on a rescue board to stay with them until an RNLI hovercraft brought them safely ashore.

Getty Images Stock image of three people walking on the beach with dogs. Leasowe Lighthouse, which is a white building, can be seen perched on higher ground on the right with hills in the background.Getty Images
HM Coastguard advises people to explore Leasowe beach when the tide has gone out and to know the safe exit points

The beach opposite Leasowe Lighthouse is known for being an area where people "frequently become cut off by the tide," HM Coastguard said.

During the morning incident, the speed of the incoming tide led to one person being "swept off their feet" before they began drifting.

A rescue officer deployed an emergency throwline which reached the casualty, who was then pulled safely to shore.

Several members of the group were also treated for cuts to their feet.

HM Coastguard A yellow RNLI hovercraft can be seen in the distance on the Leasowe sands with water in the foreground and wind turbines in the background.HM Coastguard
An RNLI hovercraft crew brought the second group to safety

Area commander Michael Buratti said: "The incoming tide will rapidly fill a gully, isolating a large sandbank and cutting off safe access back to shore."

He advised people to "explore the beach as the tide is going out and make sure you know where the safe exit points are".

HM Coastguard urged people to follow local safety signage and check tide times before heading out.

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