Multiple missing children and dozens evacuated from sandbanks cut off by tide at Blackpool Air Show
Emergency services responded to multiple incidents.
Blackpool’s Air Show weekend proved to be a particularly busy one for coastguard and emergency teams, with crews responding to a series of incidents across both days.
The first day initially followed a familiar pattern for the HM Coastguard Fleetwood, Lytham, and Knott End teams alongside the Blackpool Beach Patrol, with patrols and public engagement accompanied by minor first aid incidents and reports of missing or separated parents and children.
However, the situation became increasingly challenging as the day progressed, with multiple missing children reported and dozens of people becoming cut off by the tide and requiring evacuation from sandbanks.
The team’s final incident of the day involved a serious water rescue, with two Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) entering the water to recover two eight-year-old children. One of the children was fully submerged.
The team said it was fortunate its patrol pattern and the experience of its CROs, who knew the red flags to look out for, meant they were in the right place at the right time to respond.
The second and final day of the air Show proved equally busy, with the Coastguard team attending several serious and distressing medical and trauma incidents before the flying display had even begun.
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The day continued to be demanding for HM Coastguard Fleetwood, Lytham, and Knott End teams, event staff and Blackpool Beach Patrol. Crews worked particularly closely with Mersey Medical, which the Coastguard team praised for providing excellent support and responding alongside them to a number of incidents.
These included collapsed adults, a person in crisis, a risk of secondary drowning, a weever fish sting and missing children. Further incidents may also be added to the team’s final tally. The Coastguard team said all agencies involved had performed outstandingly throughout the weekend.
It also paid particular tribute to Blackpool Council Beach Patrol, praising its young staff for being well equipped, expert and professional in carrying out their duties. The team said the Beach Patrol staff had “really done the town proud” and added that it was proud to serve the community alongside them.