Dramatic Rescue on Formby Beach as Unconscious Man is Evacuated by Emergency Crews

An unconscious man had to be evacuated from Formby Beach and taken to hospital following one of a number of incidents dealt with by coastal rescue teams in recent weeks.

The Formby incident happened at around 5.35pm on Friday 14 August, when Southport Quads were tasked by Holyhead Coastguard to assist with an unconscious man on the beach.

The quad team quickly made their way to the casualty, where paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service were already working to stabilise him as he drifted in and out of consciousness.

Working alongside Merseyside Police and Southport Coastguard Rescue Team, the crew helped evacuate the man from the beach using the specialist quad vehicles.

He was transported across the beach to Formby Lifeboat Road car park, where he was transferred into the care of the ambulance service before being taken to Southport Hospital for further treatment.

The incident highlights the important role played by the different emergency and rescue services along the Sefton coastline, particularly during the busy summer period when beaches can be difficult for conventional emergency vehicles to access.

It was one of several incidents attended by Southport Lifeboat crews and quad teams over the past fortnight.

On 3 August, crews were called following reports of a person stuck in mud on Southport Beach, although RNLI lifeguards were able to escort the casualty to safety before the quad team was required.

A week later, on 10 August, a major search was launched for a person who had reportedly attempted to walk across the beach towards Blackpool. Quad crews and a drone team searched for around 90 minutes before finding barefoot tracks leading inland towards Marshside. It was subsequently established that the person had safely left the beach.

On 12 August, Southport Lifeboat was tasked to assist in a search for two missing children at Ainsdale Beach. Thankfully, the children were found safe and well before the lifeboat needed to deploy.

Most recently, at midday on Sunday 16 August, Southport Lifeboat was paged to support HM Coastguard Crosby during a mud rescue at Hightown. With the tide still coming in, the lifeboat was preparing to provide waterborne support, but the Crosby Coastguard team successfully rescued the casualty and the lifeboat was stood down.

Southport Lifeboat has thanked all of the agencies involved in the recent incidents, highlighting the teamwork and cooperation that helps ensure people in difficulty along our coastline can be reached and brought to safety.

Formby Bubble would also like to thank all of our emergency services, Coastguard teams, lifeboat crews, lifeguards and volunteers who continue to work together to keep people safe along our coastline.