An 18-year-old male was rescued after becoming stuck in deep mud on the banks of the River Haven in Boston on Thursday evening.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue received reports at 7.40pm of a male trapped up to his thighs in mud near Custom House Quay.
Three fire crews, including the specialist Water Rescue Team, attended the incident from Boston, Kirton and Spalding.
Firefighters used a rescue sled to carry out a swift water rescue, successfully freeing the teenager from the riverbank before bringing him to safety.
The rescue attracted significant public attention, with large crowds gathering along the riverbanks and on Town Bridge to watch the operation unfold.
The incident highlights the dangers posed by the River Haven’s exposed mudbanks during periods of low water. While the mud can appear firm, it can quickly trap anyone who ventures onto it, making escape extremely difficult without specialist rescue equipment.
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said: “Three crews including a specialist water rescue team from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue responded to reports of a male stuck in mud, up to his thighs, yesterday evening at 19:40 near to Custom House Quay, Boston.
Crews used one rescue sled to help affect a swift water rescue to assist the male stuck on the riverbank.”
Emergency services are reminding people never to enter riverbeds or mudflats, even when water levels are low, as the conditions can be deceptive and potentially life-threatening. If you see someone in difficulty in or near water, call 999 immediately and ask for the appropriate emergency service.
David Lynch, area manager for prevention and protection at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: “We know that when the weather starts to get nicer we see more people out and about, looking to enjoy walks and the water. Unfortunately, this matches an increase in calls for water rescues to Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, HM Coastguard, and the RNLI, so it’s really important that we help people understand the risks of open water in the UK.
“As much as I’d love our rivers, lakes and seas to be as warm as the Caribbean, it’s just not the case. Even on those scorching hot days where we see heat and drought warnings, waters in the UK can still send you into cold water shock, literally taking your breath away. It’s an entirely involuntary physical reaction that doesn’t care how strong of a swimmer you are. The best way to avoid it? Don’t enter the water.
“What’s perhaps even more alarming is that a leading cause for accidental drownings in the UK is slips, trips and falls. These are tragic incidents where people never had any intention of entering the water but have fallen and got into trouble.
“So, our key advice is to respect and be mindful of open water at all times. Give it distance, don’t enter unnecessarily, and if you want to have fun in the water make sure you’re doing it safely, where there’s experts or lifeguards who know the dangers of the area and the basics of water rescue.”
