Lifeboat crew recover ‘despondent’ man and his vehicle
A“DESPONDENT” driver was found trying to drive to Formby. HM Coastguard Holyhead received reports of a “despondent” man driving a vehicle initially reported on Southport beach at around 9.55pm one night earlier this month.
The coastguard tasked Southport Lifeboat with the job of recovering the man and the vehicle with quad bikes being deployed to the beach.
Shortly afterwards they found a vehicle in difficulty north of Southport pier but quickly found that this was not the person of interest.
The quads were redeployed south and conducted a tideline and beach search towards Formby. The coastguard and Southport Lifeboat soon received information that the casualty had been located inland.
As the lifeboat quads returned to base they were retasked with assisting with the recovery of the vehicle that the man had been driving.
The Land Rover had become stuck in the mud and was at risk of becoming inundated by the tide. After it was ensured no one was in the vehicle the quadbikes attempted to recover the vehicle but with little time and failed attempts the vehicle succumbed to the tide.
The Southport Lifeboat quads returned to the station where the family was being taken care of, with members of the lifeboat leaving the station at 3.30am.
The charity posted the news of the callout on its social media channels.
It said: “21:55 - our quads were tasked by HM Coastguard Holyhead to reports of a despondent male in a vehicle initially reported to be in the vicinity of Southport Beach.
“Our quads located a vehicle in difficulty north of Southport
Pier and quickly ascertained that this was not the person of interest. The quads redeployed south, conducting a tideline and beach search towards Formby.
“Information was soon after received that the casualty had been located inland. As our quads returned to the station, they were re-tasked to assist the vehicle in difficulty which was stuck in the mud and at risk of becoming inundated by the tide.
“Ensuring no occupants remained in the vehicle, the quads attempted a recovery but with little time available, attempts failed and the vehicle succumbed to the tide.
“Our quads returned to the station, where the occupants were being taken care of by the crew. After washing down the equipment, our crew remained with the family before leaving the station at 03:30.”