Crews rescue family from stranded boat

Firefighters rescued a family of three after their boat got stranded on mudflats in Walton Backwaters.

We were called by Coastguards today at 2.28pm after the vessel got stuck in the estuary about a mile from Titchmarsh Marina.

Crews from Weeley, Colchester and our Urban Search and Rescue team attended.

The tide was out so it wasn't possible to get a rescue boat to the yacht. The next high tide was not until 12.15am.

Station Manager Paul Nash said: "The Walton and Frinton Lifeboat's all-weather boat was able to take our crews to about 75 metres from the grounded vessel.

"This allowed our rescue team to use inflatable rescue paths, called mud paths, to reach the family."

Crews began the rescue shortly before 6pm and brought the family, two adults and a girl, to safety at 6.49pm.

Group Manager Steve Osborn said: "Crews worked incredibly hard for a long period in what were cold and arduous conditions.

"We prepare and train so we are ready to respond to incidents like this, so it was satisfying to be able to bring the family to safety.

"They were very grateful to everyone involved - firefighters, the RNLI, Coastguards and the Ambulance Service - for their efforts."