Parents warned to keep eye on children after boys, 4 and 5, rescued from Wirral beauty spot

Jun 3 2009 by David Bartlett, Heswall News

PARENTS were warned to keep an eye on their children this week after two young boys had to be rescued from a Wirral beauty spot with “treacherous” tides.

The youngsters, aged four and five, were rescued from rising sea waters at Hilbre Island, off the coast at West Kirby, after their mother apparently left them alone on a beach to go shopping on Saturday.

Some members of the family were later found searching for the pair about half-a-mile away on the beach.

Hilbre Island is well known in the local area for its dangerous tide which rises quickly.

People are only allowed to cross the waters from West Kirby to Hilbre at two points in the day.

Cllr Jeff Green, who sits on the Hilbre Island nature reserve management committee, said: “It is absolutely treacherous. The tide runs through the gullies and can cut people off.

“That’s why information is made clear about Hilbre Island. And it’s important that information is followed. I would implore people to always use safe routes when visiting Hilbre Island.

“Clearly young children should not be left unaccompanied. You expect parents and carers to take care of their children.

Chief lifeguard Tony Jones said: “The boys were left unattended on a beach at the far side of the island.

“One of the lifeguards on duty found them up to their necks in water as the tide was coming in.

“Their mother had cleared off and left them.”

Mr Jones said the mother was shopping in Dee Lane, in West Kirby, more than a mile away from the island. He added that the boys were shocked but unharmed by their ordeal, which could have been far more serious had it not been for the “timely intervention” of the lifeguard.

Mr Jones said: “When the mother returned and we spoke to her, she didn’t take it too kindly.

“The fact that she left her young children on the beach while she went to shops in excess of a mile away speaks for itself.”

Wirral lifeguard service said the beach welcomed more than 2,000 visitors on Saturday as people made the most of the sun.

Mr Jones said: “If you are bringing youngsters down to the beach – stay with them.

“Don’t take your eyes off them.”