Two walkers rescued after getting trapped on Fenham mudflats

The pair were trapped on the Fenham mudflats near Lindisfarne around 2.15pm last Thursday, some 800m from the shore and with an incoming tide.

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service deployed a team onto the soft mud to free the trapped walkers, who were exhausted and suffering from the effects of the blistering heat.

They were brought back to the safety of the shoreline and handed into the care of Coastguards teams from Berwick and Seahouses and the North East Ambulance Service.

Seahouses inshore lifeboat also attended in case it was needed due to the rapidly rising tide but it was not required.

Seahouses RNLI press officer Ian Clayton said: "Just a note of caution to visitors to this coastline, that care is needed in parts of Budle Bay and on the mudflats leading to Holy Island.

"Here the sand can become very soft, and trap the unwary. The tide also rises quite quickly across the mud flats here.

"If you are walking in this area, seek local advice and have a means of calling for help. Fortunately, today had a good outcome."

Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team posted on social media: “This job was our 9th callout this month, and was another excellent example of multi agency working which secured the best possible outcome for those who were trapped. Teams were able to work quickly, bringing the incident to a safe conclusion before the tide came in.”