A rescue operation is currently underway near Plymouth, with emergency services responding to an incident in the Wilcove area of the River Tamar this afternoon, 2 March.
HM Coastguard has confirmed to Plymouth Plus that they are dealing with a person stuck in mud and were alerted to the situation at around 12.40pm. A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said:
"HM Coastguard is currently responding to a person stuck in mud in the Wilcove area this afternoon, 2 March. Alerted at around 12.40pm, Plymouth and Tamar Coastguard Rescue Teams and a lifeboat from Plymouth RNLI have been sent to the scene."
Plymouth Plus understands that multiple emergency teams are involved in the operation. Video footage taken earlier shows a large emergency response moving through Plymouth city centre towards the scene.
The large emergency response heading through the city centre. © droneguydevon24
Tamar Crossings reported on their Facebook page that "multiple blue light crossings" on the Torpoint Ferry this afternoon. The RNLI inshore lifeboat has been deployed in the area as efforts to free the trapped person continue.
The Wilcove mud flats, on the River Tamar, are known for their soft, sinking mud, which can pose a serious hazard to anyone walking on them. The risk of becoming trapped increases significantly in wet conditions, and incoming tides can make rescues more urgent.
Similar incidents have occurred in the past, requiring emergency services to intervene. Specialist mud rescue teams often use flotation devices and wide boards to distribute weight, preventing further sinking and making it easier to extract trapped individuals.
On Facebook, the incident has sparked debate, with some questioning why anyone would venture onto the mudflats.
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