This is the dramatic moment two horses and their riders were rescued from quicksand after a tense four-hour rescue.
Fire crews joined Merseyside Police , North West Ambulance Service , the RNLI and Liverpool coastguard in the rescue operation at Moreton beach.
A Merseyside Fire and Rescue service spokesperson said: "Crews are currently in attendance at Moreton Beach, Wirral, following reports that two horses had become stuck in the mud.
"Crews were called at around 10.25am on Saturday 13th April. Two fire engines and the search and rescue appliance are in attendance.
"On arrival crews found two horses stuck approximately 300m from the shore."
They later added: "The second horse has now been released from the mud.
"Three people have been assessed by paramedics at the scene, with one taken to hospital for further assessment. Great teamwork from all involved OneTeam."
The two horse riders have been assessed at the scene by paramedics and a third person has been taken to hospital for further assessment.
Desperate attempts to rescue two horses and riders stuck in quicksand
The alarm was raised at 10.25am today, to reports that two horses had become stuck about 300m from the shore.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service sent two fire engines and the search and rescue appliance to the scene. The Hoylake hovercraft was also present.
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One of the horses managed to free itself but it took three-and-a-half hours for crews to free the second horse.
Three people were also assessed by paramedics at the scene, with one taken to hospital for further assessment.
A spokesperson for the Wirral Coastguard Rescue team said: "Attempts by the horse to free itself on a number of occasions unfortunately failed and the horse become tired and exhausted.
"Platforms from the Hovercraft along with Coastguard and Fire Service inflatable sleds were utilised as a stable working area for rescuers.
"The attendance of a vet was requested to offer specialist advice and was able to sedate the horse to make it more stable and comfortable to allow rescuers to safely perform a rescue.
"The horse was finally freed from the mud and stabilised however the rescue did not end there. The horse had to be recovered to stable ground to prevent it from becoming stuck again.
"The horse was placed on inflatable sleds, we are gladly informed that after a few days rest, both horses should make a full recovery.
"This was an extremely rare and complex rescue and all agencies pulled to together utilising a range of skills, knowledge and equipment from each agency, all of which contributed to the successful rescue and happy outcome."
