Man continues to fight for life after tragedy on Lancashire coast
‘A decision was made to transfer the casualties by road - because of the unnecessary danger that the flooding tide posed’
A man is still fighting for his life in hospital following a tragic sea rescue on Saturday in which a woman in her 60’s died.
The man, also in his 60’s, was pulled from the sea at Rossall after going into the water to save a dog. They were both treated at the scene but the woman was pronounced dead at hospital.
A spokesperson from Blackpool Police said: “The man remains in a critical condition in hospital.”
“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the woman’s death, and a file will be passed to the coroner in due course.
“Enquiries to identify her next of kin are ongoing.”
HM Coastguard received the initial call for emegency help at its Holyhead base that two people and a dog were in difficulty on Rossall Beach, Fleetwood at 8pm.
The coastguard had just stood down from another call in Fleetwood so were quick to mobilise and get to the scene.
When they arrived they pulled two people from the sea needing immediate medical care. They were soon joined on the beach by Blackpool RNLI in the Atlantic 85 lifeboat and one of their inshore D-Class boats.
They were battling a flooding tide, were using a hefty medical kit and looking after the casualities so they requested help from Lancashire Fire and Resuce and Lancashire Police.
A helicopter landing site was also prepared for a coastguard rescue helicopter that had been drafted in from Caernarfon in Wales.
A coastguard official said: “As the decision was to transfer the casualties by road - because of the unnecessary danger that the flooding tide posed - the helicopter didn't land but remained on scene for a short time.
“The dog was in the safe care of police.
“Two Coastguard officers who performed the rescues were taken to hospital as a precaution after potentially ingesting sea water, they were medically cleared and released in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“It was a challenging evening with a further short callout to central Blackpool later in the evening. Our thanks and thoughts to all involved.”