A dad struggled desperately to keep his four-year-old daughter’s head above the rising tide during a dramatic double rescue by RNLI lifeboat crew.
West Kirby RNLI were called out yesterday just after 1.30pm by a woman walking her dog who had found herself stranded on Middle Hilbre during a high tide.
As the stranded woman relayed her location to lifeboat teams, she spotted a distressed family of five trapped along a ridge of rocks on Hilbre Island who were in immediate danger of drowning.
The lifeboat was immediately deployed to the family and found the desperate dad, struggling to keep his young daughter’s head above the waves.
On reaching this group, one of the crew entered the water to look after the grandmother and aunt who had separated from the others, while the lifeboat helped the parents and their daughter who was in immediate danger of drowning.
The coastguard team managed to get the soaking wet and "highly distressed" casualties into the lifeboat.
With all the family now safely onboard, the rescue team spotted the female walker with her dog and a young man and woman.
They had all been caught out by the high tide and said to be soaking wet and cold from the increasing wind.
Several members of the rescued parties were suffering from hypothermia and immediately taken to shore to receive medical assistance.
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The remaining casualties were taken by lifeboat to the Sandy Lane slipway by West Kirby Sailing Club.
The family that were found in immediate danger in the water were from Brazil on holiday exploring Britain.
It had been suggested to them to walk on Hilbre but were not informed that it was in a tidal location and found themselves in a life threatening situation as a result.
Speaking following the call out, Richard Diamond, West Kirby RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: “Getting cut off by the tide can be a frightening experience.
“We would remind visitors to Hilbre to check the tidal information before setting out and to take appropriate clothing.
“There is information concerning tide times and height on the noticeboard opposite to the ice-cream kiosk at the Dee Lane end of the Marine Lake and online.
“If you see someone in trouble, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
The Hilbre Islands are a popular location for walking in Wirral.
They are one of just 43 unbridged tidal islands in the UK that can be reached on foot from the mainland during low tide.
The Islands are cut off from the mainland by the tide for up to four hours out of every 12.
Walkers planning to visit are warned to allow enough time to leave Hilbre at least three hours before high water.
