Fossil hunters rescued after getting stuck in coastal mud

COASTGUARDS were forced to rescue fossil hunters who got stuck in sinking mud on the Jurassic Coast where walkers took to the beach despite a recent huge collapse.

Teams were called out to nearby Charmouth Bay, Dorset, at around 1.45pm on Saturday after reports that someone was trapped in deep mud.

But just over two hours later, rescue teams were called out again as another person was stuck near the mouth of the River Char at around 4pm.

Shocking photos show the man, whose identity is unknown, being wedged in the mud before rescue teams were able to loosen his trapped leg.

Lyme Regis Coastguard said both people were safely rescued and checked over by ambulance crews as a precaution.

And just down the coast at East Beach at West Bay, dozens of people were on the beach on Sunday afternoon despite a huge cliff collapse on Monday. The National Coastwatch Institution spokesperson said: “It is an opportune moment to strongly remind members of the public to keep clear of mudslides.

“Whilst the surface may form a firm crust in dry weather, it will not be strong enough to hold a person’s weight and the mud will be soft underneath.

“When falling into the mud it can create a suction and draw the body in deeper.”

Firefighters had to rescue someone stuck waist-deep in mud at the same location last month. The person became trapped below the cliffs at Charmouth Beach on Jan 6 for 20 minutes before a rescue team was able to dig them out.

‘It is an opportune moment to remind members of the public to keep clear of mudslides’