Dramatic Rescue at Formby Beach as Woman Found Alive After Major Emergency Response

A dramatic rescue unfolded this morning, Friday 20th March, along the coastline between Formby and Hightown after a woman became stuck in mud near the River Alt.

The incident was first reported at around 7:30am, triggering a huge multi-agency emergency response involving Merseyside Fire and Rescue, Southport Offshore Rescue, HM Coastguard teams, police, lifeboat crews and specialist units.

As the tide began to come in, crews raced against time to locate the woman, with a Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter deployed to scan the coastline from the air.

In a positive outcome, the woman was found at around 9:40am, bringing the operation to a close. She was located conscious and breathing, following what must have been a terrifying ordeal. She was found Hightown Beach area.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the incident may have begun when her dog became stuck in the mud. It is believed the woman entered the area to rescue her dog but then became trapped herself.

The scale of the response highlighted the seriousness of the situation, with multiple emergency teams working together both on the ground and from the air in challenging conditions.

The helicopter has now left the scene following the successful rescue, and the operation has been stood down.

Lifeboat Road and car park closed by police

Throughout the incident, police closed Lifeboat Road and the nearby car park to the public, restricting access to Formby beach and surrounding areas while emergency services carried out their work. Access is expected to reopen around midday.

National Trust Formby also issued a statement earlier in the morning:

“Due to an ongoing incident on 20 March there is currently no access for cars, pedestrians or cyclists to Formby beach or woodlands.”

“The matter is being dealt with by Merseyside Police and we are unable to comment further.”

“Thank you for your support and patience. We will reopen access as soon as possible, although it is unlikely to be today.”

Emergency services Drone Team

At this stage, there are still concerns for the woman’s dog, which is believed to have been involved in the incident.

This morning’s events serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers posed by mud flats and fast-moving tides along this stretch of coastline.

It was an outstanding effort by all emergency services involved, whose rapid response and teamwork led to a successful rescue in very difficult circumstances.

Statement from Merseyside Police:

Please see the following statement issued by our colleagues at Mersey Fire and Rescue Service in relation to an incident at Formby beach this morning, Friday 20 March:

‘Fire crews attended at Formby Beach this morning to search for a person who had become trapped in mud flats. The person has now been located.

Crews were alerted at 7.34am and on scene at 7.44am. Two fire engines, the search and rescue team, an off-road vehicle and a drone unit attended the Lifeboat Road area.

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), HM Coastguard and Merseyside Police were also at the scene. Southport lifeboat rescue were deployed in the search as were HM Coastguard quad bikes. Fire crews and emergency services colleagues carried out a search at the shoreline and with a drone.

At around 9.30am the person was located, conscious and breathing, by HM Coastguard and taken to hospital by North West Ambulance Service paramedics.

Fire crews remain at the scene along with a large emergency services presence.’

We will continue to provide updates as more confirmed information becomes available.