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A man has been rescued by Hoylake RNLI in a late night drama.
The alarm was raised on Wednesday 1 July when the casualty found himself cut off from reaching the shore by the flooding tide near Leasowe Lighthouse.
Concerned family members had gathered on the sea wall and were met by the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team, who could only see the light from the casualty’s phone in the darkness.
The hovercraft was requested to launch alongside New Brighton RNLI’s inshore lifeboat.
Coastguard operators spoke with the casualty by phone and advised him to use the Float to Live technique as the water was rising around him.
He was located floating on his back around 200 metres offshore.
He was fatigued and feeling the effects of the cold, and was transferred to hospital.
Paul Sherratt, Hoylake RNLI volunteer hovercraft commander, said: "Float to Live saved the casualty’s life. By staying calm when he found himself in the water, leaning back, moving his hands and legs, and controlling his breathing, he stayed afloat and our crew were able to bring him on board to safety despite the poor conditions.
"This rescue shows just how closely we work with our HM Coastguard colleagues to save lives at sea. By working together throughout this time-critical incident, the casualty and his family had fantastic support and happily could be reunited on the shore. Our thanks to the Coastguard for their assistance and professionalism."
