Couple stuck in 'lethal' quicksand in Cumbria spark emergency rescue

A couple sparked a full-scale emergency rescue - and a race against the tide - when they found themselves knee and waist-deep in quicksand on a beach in Cumbria.

The man, 46, and the woman, 25, were yelling for help as they began to sink at Sandside, Morecambe Bay - the same spot a 14-year-old became trapped two weeks ago.

The 40-minute rescue on Sunday involved coastguards from Morecambe and Arnside, paramedics, Cumbria Fire and Rescue, Bay Search and Rescue, the police, and a Royal National Lifenoat Institute team on a hovercraft.

Local resident Craig Woodburn, 27, threw a lifebelt to the couple, and tried to keep them calm.

According to the Daily Mail, he said: "The tide was due in so it was very scary, but I did what anybody else would have done."

The pair had been near a sign that reads: "DANGER Beware fast rising tides, quicksands, hidden channels."

According to the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph, Nigel Capstick, Arnside station manager, said: "After the incident two weeks ago, we predicted another would happen, although we never expected the conditions to be this bad.

"If people don't listen to the warnings someone will die on the sands."

Mr Capstick added that gallons of water had to be used to release the pair, as the sand solidifies within minutes of someone getting stuck in it.

MP Tim Farron told the Daily Telegraph: "Local people know how dangerous the sands are but I think local authorities need to raise the awareness of tourists that the sands are beautiful but incredibly dangerous."

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