Rhyl, Wales, United Kingdom – Volunteer crew members from Rhyl RNLI were launched on Friday, May 29, after reports of a person trapped in quicksand off the Rhyl coast with a rapidly incoming tide.

The alarm was raised at 9pm, prompting the crew to assemble quickly and launch the inshore lifeboat.

While heading toward the Splash Point area to locate the casualty, the crew received updates from HM Coastguard that the tide had reached waist height on the trapped person, with additional support already deployed, including Rhyl Coastguard Rescue teams and a helicopter.

The lifeboat arrived within minutes and was brought alongside the casualty.

Crew members entered the water, fitted the person with a lifejacket, and supported them onto their back to free their feet from the quicksand.

The casualty was then brought aboard the lifeboat and returned to the station for medical checks and warming.

Dougie Lonsdale, Helm during the operation, said: “Conditions on the coast can change in seconds, with tides and quicksand being serious and often invisible hazards. In this instance the casualty did everything correctly by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard and staying calm.”

He added that anyone stuck in quicksand or mud should stay calm and immediately call 999 to request the Coastguard.

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