Three rescued from closed cockle beds in Wirral

Three people were rescued today after getting stranded by a rising tide near Leasowe Lighthouse. The group was reported to be cockling, which is not allowed at this time of year. The Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team and the RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat Station responded to several emergency calls. When they arrived, the rescuers found the individuals trapped on a sandbank, unaware of the quickly rising tide. The coastguard tried to communicate with the stranded people using sirens and a public address system. Fortunately, the Hoylake Hovercraft was able to safely rescue all three individuals and bring them back to shore. After their rescue, Merseyside Police intervened since cockling is not permitted right now. The cockles they had gathered were returned to the water.