MAN AND WOMAN RESCUED FROM MUDDY LANDSLIP NEAR ST HELENS

A man and a woman have been rescued by firefighters, coastguards and lifeboat crew members this lunchtime after becoming stuck in the mud at Nodes Point near St Helens. Emergency services were alerted to the sticky situation the middle-aged duo found themselves in at around 11:30 this morning (Friday), which has prompted a large, multi-agency operation to rescue them. Reenacting well-actioned plans, following 3 almost identical rescues in 2023, HM Coastguard and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have worked together to locate, rescue and extract the pair – who are now both on dry land. Bembridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat has once again been utilised to transfer personnel and equipment from the beach at The Duver and around the headland to the scene of the rescue, near to Priory Bay. 3 fire appliances from Ryde and Newport, a senior tactical advisor, 2 Coastguard Rescue Teams from Bembridge and Ventnor, a Senior Coastal Operations Officer, an ambulance crew and an operational commander have all been involved in the operation. The lifeboat has now brought both casualties around to The Duver, where Paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service are checking over the pair – 1 of whom was stretchered off the lifeboat and into an awaiting ambulance. The near 2-hour operation is now coming to an end with washing down commencing to rid mud from equipment – and muddy firefighters. Both casualties are being conveyed to St Mary’s Hospital, but their injuries are not thought to be serious. Islanders and visitors alike should avoid the area between Priory Bay and Nodes Point which is effectively a muddy landslip.