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Burnham
Hovercraft Home Page > Burnham Hovercraft
News Archive
January
6, 2006
Dog
walker thanks Burnham-On-Sea rescue teams after mud rescue
A
pensioner who was rescued by Burnham-On-Sea's hovercraft after
being trapped up to his waist in mud at Brean on January 2nd,
has sent a heartfelt "thank you" to coastguards and
volunteers who raced to his aid.
Retired
civil servant Ian Makepeace and his wife Sue from Evesham were
walking their two dogs on the mudflats when Blitzy, a two-year-old
terrier cross, ran off.
![Rescued dog walker Ian Makepeace with wife Sue [Photo: BBC Points West]](rescue19a.jpg) Sue
told the Evesham Journal: "Looking back now I should
have thought about how dangerous it could be walking on mud like
that but when all I could see was a little speck of black in the
distance I just panicked."
The
hair and beauty technician at Evesham College added: "I just
didn't think when Blitzy ran off. My instinct was to get her back."
As
she ran off, her husband and the couple's other dog Sandy, a 15-year-old
Jack Russell, followed.
Ian
said he had walked about 100 metres from the high tide mark when
he suddenly found himself sinking into the mud.
"I
saw the mud was coming over my wellies and Sue was just a few
yards ahead of me, as she's light in weight she managed to get
out of the mud."
He
added: "I managed to get out of the mud a couple of times
but when I got stuck in it a third time I realised I was trapped."
Sue
managed to free herself and dialled 999 on a mobile phone to call
for help.
"While
speaking to the 999 person to get help for Ian I kept squeaking
my squeaky toy in the hope that Blitzy may turn around and come
back. I was also sinking into the mud while walking but luckily
I manage to wriggle myself out of it."
Ian
said he remained calm throughout the whole ordeal as he had a
great faith in the Coastguard Mud Rescue and the hovercraft rescue
teams in Burnham.
The
Coastguard Mud Rescue team from Burnham-On-Sea was alerted and
using specialised rescue equipment waded Mr Makepeace free.
Station
officer Steve Bird from Burnham Coastguard said: "The casualty
was stuck deep in the mud and it took almost 15 minutes to dig
him out. He was firmly trapped and needed our help."
Burnham's
Spirit of Lelaina hovercraft went to the scene with two pilots
onboard and both Ian and his dog were lifted onboard before being
taken back to safety.
Ian
added: "I knew they'd rescue me and I'd just like to thank
everyone that helped free me from the mud on Monday. They couldn't
have got there any sooner."
"Both
the hovercraft crew and coastguard rescue team were very quick,
efficient and professional about the whole situation I can't praise
them enough."
RELATED
LINKS:
Full story about this rescue
Official
BARB Web site home page
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