Men were pulled from the water at Crosby beach after getting into trouble this evening.
The emergency services raced to the popular spot in Merseyside following the incident.
Firefighters helped the RNLI and the Coastguard as a search operation was launched at about 7pm.
The condition of the men is not currently known.
It is understood three men were involved in the incident, the Liverpool Echo reported.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said two fire engines and its search and rescue team were called at 7.11pm.
A spokesman for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: "We responded to information that there was some people in trouble on the beach at Formby.
"We were assisting the coastguard and the RNLI in removing casualties from the beach, into the care of the North West Ambulance Service."
A spokesperson from the Coastguard said: "HM Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public just after 7.05pm this evening (July 20) saying that five people were difficulty in the water at Crosby Beach.
"Crosby Coastguard Rescue Team, lifeboats from New Brighton and Southport, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside Police were all sent.
"All five people were recovered to the beach.
"Two of the people did not require medical assistance, three were passed into the care of the ambulance service and taken to hospital."
