A man and his dog were rescued from beach after getting stuck in the mud - on their final walk before the pooch was scheduled to be put down.
Rescuers had just moments to haul the man out of the mud before the water level rose around them.
Martyn Cushing, 57, had taken his pet dog, Sandy for a final walk on Cleethorpes beach in Lincolnshire.
Sandy the Border Collie is sadly due to be put down next week but at around 4pm he ran off and became stuck.
Sandy has a brain tumour and vets say his life needs to be ended to avoid suffering, reports Grimsby Live.
Martyn, from Mexborough, South Yorkshire, went to rescue his pet and he too became stranded in thick mud.
Luckily a police officer patrolling the area was on hand and raised the alarm.
A Coastguard team were on scene and hauled him to safety - just as the incoming tide threatened to submerge him.
Humberside Police blocked the area in order for coastguards to carry out the rescue from land and from the river.
Martyn, a Doncaster-area warehouseman, told Grimsby Live: "We are very lucky.
"I was up to my knees when they got me out. Another five minutes and I would have been under the water. I am very grateful to the Coastguard."
He said: "I saw Sandy end up on the mud. I could see he was sinking, so I went after him. As I got closer my legs got stuck. Both my legs went under.
"Luckily the Coastguards came quickly and they were able to dig me out."
He added: "Sandy had got himself free. I hadn't needed to go to him after all."
A spokesman for the Coastguard said : "We had Cleethorpes and Donna Nook Coastguard teams in response.
"Cleethorpes RNLI were also in support. We got the casualty out and transferred to shore. We get a few incidents there and this has been a good outcome."
