Ten stranded by rising tide rescued from estuary

Lifeguards urge people to check tide times before heading on to West Kirby's sands

Ten people who found themselves cut off by a rising tide have been rescued by lifeboat crews.

Two of them were found standing on rocks with a dog near Hilbre Island, surrounded by the swirling waters of the Dee Estuary.

Their walk back to West Kirby on Friday had been hampered by one of them slipping and injuring themselves.

After taking them back to shore, RNLI volunteers then launched their lifeboat again to pick up eight others who were stranded on nearby Little Hilbre Island.

Crews from RNLI West Kirkby rescued 10 stranded people in from the Dee Estuary

The rapidly rising tide also flooded the Marine Lake walkway, with some needing assistance from an RNLI volunteer.

Andy Brown, from West Kirby RNLI launch authority, urged people to check tide times before visiting and to report any incidents by dialling 999.

"The current spring tides are some of the highest of the month," he explained.

"And with the largest volume of water flooding in at exceptionally fast speeds, situations can turn dangerous very quickly. Large waves can also contain debris with the potential for serious injury.

"If walking to the islands, we would advise starting your journey back to shore three hours before the next high tide, and always carry a means of contact with you."