A person was safely recovered after becoming trapped in the mud at Whitby Harbour earlier, in what officials have described as a "worrying experience" that required a swift multi-agency response.
The incident began shortly before midday when the Whitby Coastguard Rescue Team was alerted to reports of an individual stuck within the harbour’s confines. The rescue operation saw a significant mobilisation of local emergency resources, with Coastguard officers working alongside the Whitby RNLI lifeboat crew, North Yorkshire Police, and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The Whitby Coastguard praised the collaboration, noting it was
"another great example of how well agencies work together when someone needs help".
Due to the close proximity of the RNLI boathouse, lifeboat crews were the first to reach the individual. Rescuers utilised digging equipment and wooden boarding sourced from the local area to carefully extract the casualty. Following the extraction, the person was assisted to the RNLI boathouse to warm up and change into dry clothing.
The Whitby Coastguard commended the individual's composure during the ordeal, stating that
"the casualty did exactly the right thing by remaining still and asking for assistance".
This decision, according to the service, significantly reduced the risk of further harm.
The Coastguard rescue team said:
"While Whitby Coastguard is a specialist cliff rescue team and not operationally designated for mud rescue, our officers train across a wide range of scenarios using similar rescue systems and principles. This shared training and close working relationship with partner agencies allows us to integrate smoothly and support incidents like this safely and effectively."
In the wake of the rescue, emergency services have issued a warning to the public regarding the deceptive nature of coastal terrain:
- Mud and soft ground around harbours and estuaries can be "extremely dangerous," particularly when the ground is softened by damp weather, frost, or snow.
- Changing tides can rapidly alter the safety of the ground underfoot.
The Whitby Coastguard Team urged visitors and residents to remain mindful of these hazards and reminded the public to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard if they see anyone in trouble along the coast.
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