COASTGUARD COORDINATE RESPONSE TO 15 PEOPLE REPORTED AS STUCK IN MUD AT WOOD SPRING BAY, CLEVEDON

A lifeboat, two helicopters, coastguard rescue teams and a Fire and Rescue Service hovercraft all responded to a Coastguard request to attend an unfolding incident at Wood Spring Bay Clevedon today after two motorcyclists reported that a number of people were stranded in mud.

The Coastguard received the report, via Clevedon Lifeboat, at just after midday. The Coastguard helicopter from Portland, a search and rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor, the Portishead RNLI inshore lifeboat, the Weston-super-Mare and Portishead Coastguard Rescue Teams and the Somerset Fire and Rescue Firefly Hovercraft all attended the scene.

Two of the people were airlifted to shore by the Coastguard helicopter, 11 others were able to make their own way back to shore and 2 decided to remain on scene. The group had been participating in geocaching.

Roger Reed, Senior Maritime Operations Officer for HM Coastguard said:

“The report came to us at just after midday today that 15 people were stuck in the mud and needing assistance. We have since discovered that they were undertaking the hobby of geocaching. This was in an extremely dangerous place and we would not encourage others to search in these areas because there are complex tidal patterns and deep mud.

We would encourage all groups who are undertaking activities such as these to contact us with details of their event so that we have all of the information that we need to ensure the safety of those involved.


I’d also like to remind members of the public, that should they suspect that an emergency situation is unfolding along the coast, the best course of action is to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

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