Hovercraft called to rescue 3 people on Formby Bank

Apr 13, 20181 min read

UK Coastguard received a call on Sunday 8th April and contacted Hoylake Hovercraft who were requested to launch to rescue three casualties who had been cut off by the tide on Formby bank, north of Hightown pumping station.

A spokesperson from RNLI Coastguard Station said: "HM Coastguard Crosby Rescue Team were on scene and guided the hovercraft to the casualties’ location.

The casualties were brought aboard the hovercraft and landed at Crosby Coastguard Station slipway to waiting Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team and North West Ambulance Service officers for a routine check, as they were feeling the effects of cold."

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard Team at Crosby said: "We were tasked after a member of the public called 999 reporting three youths who were cut off and possibly stuck in mud on Formby Bank after trying to cross the River Alt."

"The team located them near to the pumping station between Hightown and Crosby Coastguard station and assessed it to be too dangerous to get them across so we then tasked Wirral Coastguard and Hoylake Hovercraft to assist."

"The Crosby team helped guide the Hovercraft in whilst the Wirral Team headed to the slipway to receive the casualties off the hovercraft. The three youths were then checked over by paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service."

In a sea, cliff or coastal emergency please dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.