Merseyside Police and Southport Offshore Rescue Trust are urging caution to visitors at the Sefton Coast this weekend after multiplie missing persons reports.
Lifeboat crews at Southport were called out three times on Saturday to respond to missings persons and a pair who attempted to walk across the coast to Blackpool.
Merseyside Police said: “Due to the hot weather there has been an increase in visitors to our beaches, parks and local visitor attractions. We have had numerous incidents of young children going missing from their parents across the weekend. Please stay aware of where your child is and what they are doing”
Southport Offshore Rescue Trust said: “A busy day [Saturday] for our volunteers saw the first tasking arrive at 13:10 to search for a missing 5-year-old on Formby Beach. Our quad bikes made way to Formby while the ‘Heather White’ launched at Southport. A search was established when, soon-after, information was received that the child had been located and our units were stood down.
“Our crew had just finished washing down from the first incident, before a second tasking at 15:46 to a missing child on Ainsdale Beach called upon our quad bikes and Artic lifeboat once again. As our units arrived on scene, the child had been located by lifeguards and our assets were stood down.
“Our last tasking of the day occurred at 22:22 to two teenagers attempting to walk to Blackpool. Our quads and UAS (drone) proceeded to Rainford’s Track to commence a search. Southport Mobile, who had already arrived on scene, located the casualties and escorted them back to the Coastal Road.
“We would like to remind beachgoers that, although Blackpool appears close, it is absolutely not possible to walk from Southport to Blackpool. A series of dangerous channels, and their conduits, along with soft sand and mud, lie north of Southport Pier. North of Southport Beach lies the River Ribble, one of the fastest flowing rivers in the country, which is not passable on foot.
“Remember to always check the tide times before you enter the beach. If #ItsBehindYou, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
Run by the Southport Offshore Rescue Trust, Southport Lifeboat provides a lifeboat and land based search and rescue service around the Sefton coastline.
Independent of the RNLI, the Trust relies on donations and fundraising to support itself to provide a first class life saving service in an area of coast and water covering between the River Mersey and the River Ribble, and up to 25 miles offshore, including Southport Marine Lake.
The Southport Lifeboat have helped in the safe return of over 250 people since being formed in 1988, and aim to give our crew the best equipment possible to help save lives on our coastline.
To find out more about how you can support the trust click here.
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