Emergency services join forces to rescue casualty with broken ankle on Formby Beach

2 days ago
2 min read

Emergency services worked together to rescue a casualty who suffered a broken ankle on Formby Beach yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 15 July).

Southport Offshore Rescue Trust’s Quad Team was tasked at 3:53pm to assist the North West Ambulance Service with evacuating the injured person from the beach.

Before the quads arrived, the casualty had already received treatment from RNLI Lifeguards North West and North West Ambulance Service paramedics. Due to the challenging terrain of the beach and sand dunes, specialist assistance was then requested to safely transport the casualty to a waiting ambulance.

Working alongside HM Coastguard Crosby, the four emergency services successfully transferred the casualty using Southport Offshore Rescue’s specialist rescue trailer before they were taken onwards for further medical treatment.

The incident highlights the close cooperation between the emergency services that regularly respond to incidents along the Sefton coastline, where difficult beach access can make rescues particularly challenging.

In a separate incident during the early hours of today (Thursday 16 July), Southport Offshore Rescue’s Quad Team and Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) were called to assist in the search for a missing person in Ainsdale at 12:26am. However, the team was stood down while en route after the person was safely located by Merseyside Police.

Formby Bubble would like to thank all of the emergency services involved for their swift and professional response. Incidents on our coastline often require multiple agencies working together in difficult conditions, and their teamwork helps ensure people receive the care they need as quickly and safely as possible.

If you ever see someone in difficulty on the beach or in the sea, call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard. Providing an accurate location and staying with the casualty, where it is safe to do so, can make a vital difference while emergency crews are on their way.