This father and son were flown to safety by Burnham-On-Sea’s rescue hovercraft after getting into difficulty in deep mud almost a mile from the shore at Weston on Sunday (July 3rd).
BARB Search & Rescue’s rescue hovercraft was called out by Weston Coastguards to fly the eight year-old boy and his father out of danger.
“The two had waded out across the mudflats to reach the sea on what was a very warm afternoon,” said a Coastguard spokesman.
“They were seen struggling through the mud with a fast incoming tide nearby, so for their welfare the hovercraft was tasked with flying them back to safety.”
Two Weston Coastguard members were flown on the BARB hovercraft out to the pair at the tideline.
The father and son were helped onboard and taken back to the beach near Weston Pier and given safety advice.
A BARB spokesman said: “It was a busy afternoon for BARB’s volunteers. The hovercraft was already in Weston for the town’s rescue services day. The craft also helped Weston Coastguards check on the welfare of six other mud walkers who were seen wading out towards the sea between the Grand Pier at Uphill.”
“Our advice is to heed the warning signs and stay at the top of the beach away from mud and soft sand.”
