Coastguard helicopter evacuates Irish Sea rig worker to Blackpool

The middle-aged man was brought to shore by a Coastguard helicopter based at Caernarfon Airport in Wales at around 2am this morning.

Rescue workers from Lytham Coastguard met the large chopper at Lawson's Field before handing the man over to waiting paramedics.

Station officer Paul Little said his staff opened the barriers to the site before making sure the field was clear of any debris.

They are also trained to walk under the moving blades of the helicopter, which couldn't be turned off because of the risk of sinking on the 'boggy' land.

Lawson's Field is often used by the yellow North West Air Ambulance choppers when they are taking patients to the hospital nearby.

One resident said she has never seen it used at night in the 20 years she has lived in the adjacent Lawson Road.

"The noise was unbelievable," she added.