A beachgoer was rescued from sinking sand just in time as the tide rose to her waist on Rhyl beach in Denbighshire. The incident occurred at around 9pm on Friday evening, May 29, prompting an immediate response from Rhyl's RNLI inshore lifeboat.
Rescue Operation
The woman was found stranded in soft sand off Splash Point in the resort. An RNLI Rhyl spokesperson said: "The inshore lifeboat was launched within minutes. Once on scene, the crew found the casualty trapped in the sand with the incoming tide now around their waist."
"The lifeboat was brought alongside the casualty and crew put them in a lifejacket. A crewmember supported the casualty on their back, which popped their feet out of the sand. The casualty was recovered into the inshore lifeboat and brought back to the lifeboat station for a check-over and warm up. Rhyl Coastguard Rescue Team was also tasked to the incident."
Gratitude from Family
The woman's mother from Rhyl quickly thanked the RNLI crew on social media. Another person added: "Thank you so very much for saving a very special lady."
Safety Advice
People stuck in soft sand are advised to remain calm and not struggle as this can worsen the problem. Leaning back to distribute weight and gently wiggling legs can let water loosen the sand's suction.
Second Incident
In a separate incident, RNLI Holyhead responded to its fourth shout of the half-term break when two jetskiers became stuck on sandbanks near Traeth Penrhos beach. Initial reports suggested one jetskier might be injured, but it was found that there were no injuries. The casualties had been stuck on sandbanks but managed to re-float and head back to Llanfwrog (Sandy Beach).
An RNLI spokesperson said: "Suitable safety advice was given, and the casualties then headed back to Llanfwrog, where they were being met by the Holyhead volunteer Coastguard team."
Water Safety Reminder
RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station reminded water sports enthusiasts to always wear a suitable lifejacket or buoyancy aid and have a means of calling for help. The station added: "We'd like to remind everyone to be aware of the tides and layout of our local waters – it can be very difficult to judge the depth of water in certain locations."
