Rescue mission as man gets stuck in mud on uninhabited Poole island

The RNLI, Coastguard, fire service, police and ambulance service were all called to the uninhabited Pergins Island, in Holes Bay just off Poole Harbour shortly before 10am on Monday, February 20. 

It is reported a man had got stuck in the mud on the foreshore. 

A witness said there was “so much commotion” as multiple emergency services were on scene rescuing the man, who has been freed and is in the care of the ambulance service. 

HM Coastguard was leading the rescue mission. A spokeswoman said: "HM Coastguard has been responding to reports of a person stuck in mud on Pergins Island in Holes Bay this morning, February 20.

Pergins Island in Holes Bay (Image: Wiki)

"Between 9am and 10am Coastguard Rescue Teams from Poole and Lymington, the Coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-the-Solent and a lifeboat from Poole were sent to assist, alongside Dorset Police, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and South Western Ambulance Service.

"The casualty was extracted and passed into the care of the ambulance service."

A spokesman for the RNLI added: "Poole RNLI inshore lifeboat launched at approximately 10:10 this morning to reports of a person in difficulty near Pergins Island within Poole Harbour.

"Poole RNLI volunteers assisted in the evacuation of the person who was then handed over to the ambulance service for further care."

A spokeswoman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called at 10.07am for a man stuck in mud on the foreshore.

“We sent two fire engines and a technical rescue team from Poole, and they’ve been working with the coastguard and the RNLI to bring the man to safety.  

“He is now out of the water and in the care of the ambulance service. Police are also on scene."

Helicopter has now landed, pic.twitter.com/iIzmdw9d6i

— Ben Ridgley (@T3rrorbyte) February 20, 2023

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “We received a report at 9.51am relating to a concern for the welfare of a person in the area of Pergins Island in Holes Bay.  

“The coastguard is currently leading on the incident and officers have attended to assist.” 

A spokeswoman for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 10.27hrs to an incident in the Poole area.

"We have sent a double-crewed land ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, an operations officer and a critical care car, as part of a multi-agency response.”