Rescuers say father and son in West Kirby beach drama are "lucky to be alive"

Feb 7 2012 By Lorna Hughes

RESCUERS said two men who became lost while walking their dog in fog in West Kirby are "lucky to be alive".

It emerged today that the father and son were up to their necks in icy cold water when they were found by West Kirby lifeboat crew on Monday night.

The pair set off on a dog walk on the beach, near Hilbre Island, but became lost and disorientated as thick fog set in.

They contacted the Coastguard at 5.10pm to raise the alarm and were found by the lifeboat crew just after 8pm.

Dave Henshaw, West Kirby RNLI lifeboat operations manager, said: "The sand and mudbanks of the River Dee are very dangerous in daylight with knowledge, but in the dark with freezing fog and a tide rising by two inches a minute around you, the experience would be horrifying to say the least.

"These two men are very lucky to be alive."

West Kirby RNLI’s soft track launching vehicle and inshore lifeboat was joined by volunteers from Hoylake RNLI on foot and in their lifeboat tractor and Hoylake and New Brighton Coastguard rescue teams.

Flares were fired and one of the men was contacted by mobile phone but lifeboat crews were initially unable to find them.

Several members of the RNLI lifeboat crew searched on foot and a rescue helicopter from RAF Valley had to be recalled because of dangerously low visibility.

When lifeboat volunteers Richie Diamond, Andy Jackson and Mike Hartley found the men they were exhausted and suffering from hypothermia.Their dog was also found and they were taken back to shore.

The men were taken by ambulance to Arrowe Park hospital, where they spent the night. They were discharged on Tuesday morning.

Liverpool Coastguard Watch Manager Graham Parr said: "These large stretches of sand and channels can be treacherous so always check weather and tides before you set off and ensure you leave plenty of time to get back to shore before darkness.

"Unfortunately these walkers were caught out by thick fog."