A family and their dog who became stranded on a sandbank had to be rescued by volunteers.
The family had been playing in the water in the Duddon Estuary yesterday, August 15, with an inflatable boat when it was suddenly swept away.
Millom Coastguard Rescue Team and Haverigg Inshore Rescue were called out and when they got to the scene they spoke to the person who had called 999.
Millom Coastguard Rescue Team said: “With other family members trying to carry out a rescue the situation became complicated. The male family members made it to safety, prior to the arrival of SAR units.
“When the team arrived on scene the couple were observed in the water attempting to cross a channel whilst holding on to the boat.
“When they made shore, a team member went down the water’s edge and guided the pair to a shallow area where they managed to wade across and reach safety.
“Haverigg Inshore Rescue Team sent two quads to the scene with rescue equipment and crew. The boat was recovered by one of the vehicles and the casualties escorted back to their family.
“Blow up boats and toys are great fun in the swimming pool, but we do not recommend their use at the seaside. This is because they can easily be blown out to sea.
We strongly recommend that blow up boats and toys are not used in an offshore wind – that is when the wind blows from the land out to sea – because they can quickly be swept out to sea.
“If people do find themselves being swept out to sea, our advice is to stay with the boat or toy and shout for help, waving arms if possible.
“Do not attempt to swim for shore if out of depth. Ideally make sure that someone ashore is keeping an eye on you.”
