UPDATED: RESCUE LAUNCHED AS 2 PEOPLE GET STUCK IN THE MUD AT NODES POINT

HM Coastguard and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have been mobilised to St Helens this lunchtime (Friday) where 2 individuals have got stuck in the mud at Nodes Point. Emergency services are on scene at The Duver and are working their way around the headland to the casualty’s position – with assistance from Bembridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat. HM Coastguard has tasked Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team, Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team and Andrew Woodford, the Island’s Senior Coastal Operations Officer, to the scene, with Bembridge’s inshore lifeboat launched from Lane End. Fire appliances from Ryde and Newport are also on scene, as well as the service’s Rescue Tender from Newport and duty officers.   An operational commander from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service has also been drafted in. Emergency services are repeating now well-actioned plans to reach the treacherous location – which includes deploying a mobile antenna for communications. Crews are using the inshore lifeboat to transport personnel and equipment from the beach to the scene of the rescue. This latest multi-agency incident comes after a string of mud rescues in the same location in 2023, with people being caught out as they walk between Priory Bay and The Duver. The area is effectively a muddy landslip with no beach access at high tide.