Emergency response launched after inflatable kayak drifts out to sea at Formby Point
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
A major emergency response was launched along the Formby coastline this morning, Tuesday 23 June, after concerns were raised for the safety of two people and a dog using an inflatable kayak.
At around 9am, the pair were seen setting off from Formby Point with their dog in an inflatable kayak. With the tide heading out, they soon began drifting further offshore and were carried northwards by the current.
A concerned bystander watching from the shore became increasingly worried when she could only see one person visible in the kayak. Fearing that someone may have fallen into the water or that the occupants were in difficulty, she immediately contacted HM Coastguard.
The alert triggered a significant emergency response, with Coastguard teams, multiple police vehicles, Southport Lifeboat and Southport Offshore Rescue Trust deploying resources to search the area.
Fortunately, the kayak eventually drifted back towards the shoreline and came ashore near the National Trust’s Victoria Road site. It was then confirmed that both people and the dog were safe and well.
Once emergency services established that everyone had been accounted for and no assistance was required, the response was stood down. Southport Offshore Rescue Trust had also been actively searching the area in their rescue boat before receiving confirmation that the occupants were safely ashore.
The incident serves as an important reminder of how quickly tidal conditions can change along the Sefton coastline, particularly when using inflatable craft. Anyone planning to enter the water is urged to check tide times, weather conditions and ensure they have suitable safety equipment before setting out.
Thankfully, this morning’s incident ended safely, with both occupants and their dog returning to shore unharmed.
.jpg)
Comments