Paraglider pilot's emergency landing on West Kirby beach

Wirral's Coastguard Rescue Team was called at around 7pm following a 999 call reporting that the paramotor had landed approximately one mile west of West Kirby Sailing Club.

Rescue officers established from witnesses the exact location of the casualty who was found uninjured walking on the mud.

With the tide flooding in, two specially trained coastguard Mud Rescue Technicians made their way onto the mud wearing full mud rescue protective equipment. 

Hoylake Hovercraft helped with the recovery of the casualty and his equipment to awaiting Coastguard Rescue Officers at West Kirby Marine Lake.

Michael Buratti, station officer for Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team, said: "On this occasion, the paramotor pilot has had a lucky escape and has managed to carry out a controlled emergency landing on the beach and walked away uninjured however landing onto mud with an incoming time made the incident time critical.

"Accurate information given by the 999 caller enabled Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team to quickly deploy specially trained officers onto the mud. Given the distance from the shore, we also called upon the assistance of the RNLI Hovercraft from Hoylake".

Hoylake RNLI volunteer hovercraft commander Matt Schanck said: "It was fortunate that the casualty was able to make a safe landing in what can be a dangerous part of the Dee Estuary, especially with the flooding tide."

"Thanks to the response of the Coastguard, the help of eyewitnesses, and the experience and preparedness of the casualty, he was located quickly before the conditions on the beach became more hazardous."

Matt added: "Paramotoring is a popular pastime around our region’s coast and we advise anyone taking to the air over the water to ensure they have all the right safety equipment, wear a floatation device and carry a means of calling for help.

"In a coastal emergency, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."