"Ten Rescued from Estuary After Being Stranded by Rising Tide"

Lifeboat crews have rescued ten people who became stranded by a rising tide.

Two individuals and a dog were found standing on rocks near Hilbre Island, surrounded by the swirling waters of the Dee Estuary. Their attempt to return to West Kirby on Friday was hindered when one of them slipped and injured themselves.

After safely bringing them back to shore, RNLI volunteers launched their lifeboat again to rescue eight others who were stranded on nearby Little Hilbre Island. The quickly rising tide had also flooded the Marine Lake walkway, prompting some individuals to seek help from RNLI volunteers.

Andy Brown, from the West Kirby RNLI launch authority, urged visitors to check tide times before heading out and to report any emergencies by calling 999. "The current spring tides are among the highest of the month," he explained. "With large volumes of water flooding in at exceptionally fast speeds, situations can become dangerous very quickly. The waves can also carry debris, posing a serious risk of injury."

He advised that anyone walking to the islands should begin their return to shore at least three hours before the next high tide and always carry a means of communication.