A dramatic video shows the terrifying moment a lifeboat crew undertook the rescue of a four-year-old girl who was stranded up to her neck in water.
The bodycam footage, worn by a member of the RNLI West Kirby crew, shows the heart-stopping incident as the team were called out to a double rescue just after 1.30pm on Tuesday, August 22.
A woman walking her dog found herself stranded, while a family of five trapped along a ridge of rocks on Hilbre Island, which sits at the mouth of the estuary of the River Dee, were all caught out by the high tide, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Footage captures the lifeboat arriving at the scene to be met with a man struggling to keep a young girl’s head above the rising tide.
Two of the crew jump out of the lifeboat and make their way over to the distressed family who appear in immediate danger of drowning.
With a number of the individuals safely onboard, the rescue team then tends to the female dog walker and a young man and woman who are soaking wet and cold from the increasingly treacherous surroundings.
Despite the hazardous conditions, the RNLI lifeboat crew can be seen acting swiftly and decisively in order to prevent any fatalities.
Following the harrowing experience, several members of the rescued parties were suffering from hypothermia and immediately taken to shore to receive medical assistance.
The remaining casualties were taken by lifeboat to the Sandy Lane slipway by West Kirby Sailing Club.
Speaking following the call out, Richard Diamond, West Kirby RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: “Getting cut off by the tide can be a frightening experience.
"We would remind visitors to Hilbre to check the tidal information before setting out and to take appropriate clothing. There is information concerning tide times and height on the noticeboard opposite to the ice-cream kiosk at the Dee Lane end of the Marine Lake and online.
"If you see someone in trouble, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”