Update as Blackpool RNLI called to children stranded on sandbank and concern for two in sea

Blackpool’s lifeboat volunteers have been called out three times in just two days, including two incidents in the early hours which saw crews responding to people in the sea.

The latest call out was in the early hours of this morning when volunteers were twice paged by HM Coastguard within the space of less than an hour.

At 12.38pm, the crew was alerted to a concern for the safety of a person near Central Pier.

As they prepared to launch the lifeboat, standing by on the slipway, the incident was dealt with by land-based colleagues.

Forty minutes later, they were out again to help another person believed to be in the sea off South Promenade and required emergency assistance.

The D Class lifeboat Phyllis Rowan was launched and made its way to the scene.

One person was located and taken aboard for medical care before being taken back to the station where ambulance crews were waiting.

The incidents came just a day after another serious call-out, this time to four children and an adult stranded on a sandbank off Cleveleys.

Blackpool’s Beach Patrol Manager and Blackpool RNLI volunteer launch authority, Rick was thankfully nearby and leapt into action.

He entered the water and safely rescued the four children and one adult, despite a deep channel and reunited them with their families.

The three incidents highlight the danger of the sea across the coastline - and the importance of recognising how quickly conditions can change.

Sandbanks can soon become cut off by incoming tides, while incidents in the water can rapidly become life-threatening.

As in these cases, minutes can matter.

If you see anything of concern, do not hesitate to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.