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06/02/2004
Cockle pickers drown in Morecambe Bay
At least eighteen people are feared to have drowned in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, after being trapped by rising tides while out picking cockles.
Emergency services were called in at around 9.10pm last night after a member of the public spotted a number of people in difficulty in the Hest Bank area of the bay. The conditions were treacherous and rescuers had to battle against two metre high waves and gale force six winds during the operation.
The 30-strong group of cockle pickers, Chinese men and women who are not thought to be English speakers, went onto the bay at around 3pm yesterday afternoon.
Following the rescue operation, police confirmed that 16 men and two women had died. Two others are being treated in hospital for the effects of hypothermia. The remaining 10 people are being comforted at a nearby emergency centre.
RNLI Hovercraft Commander Harry Roberts said: "The RNLI volunteer crew worked with the search and rescue helicopter on scene and after the helicopter found one of those missing, the inshore lifeboat was able to quickly get to the same area and found one person alive.
"The hovercraft went out to meet the lifeboat and brought that person directly to shore to a waiting ambulance.
"The rest of the rescue was very difficult for the RNLI crews as we went on to recover 10 bodies from the water, some of which were young people. It was very distressing for all involved and of course as many families this morning begin to get the worst of news, our hearts go out to them."
One of the rescuers described it as the worst tragedy he had witnessed in 25 years of service.
RAF helicopters, coastguard and lifeboats are continuing their searches today.
Morecambe Bay is notorious among locals for its perilous rip tide. Two months previously, a group of cockle pickers had to be rescued from the same area.
(gmcg)
Emergency services were called in at around 9.10pm last night after a member of the public spotted a number of people in difficulty in the Hest Bank area of the bay. The conditions were treacherous and rescuers had to battle against two metre high waves and gale force six winds during the operation.
The 30-strong group of cockle pickers, Chinese men and women who are not thought to be English speakers, went onto the bay at around 3pm yesterday afternoon.
Following the rescue operation, police confirmed that 16 men and two women had died. Two others are being treated in hospital for the effects of hypothermia. The remaining 10 people are being comforted at a nearby emergency centre.
RNLI Hovercraft Commander Harry Roberts said: "The RNLI volunteer crew worked with the search and rescue helicopter on scene and after the helicopter found one of those missing, the inshore lifeboat was able to quickly get to the same area and found one person alive.
"The hovercraft went out to meet the lifeboat and brought that person directly to shore to a waiting ambulance.
"The rest of the rescue was very difficult for the RNLI crews as we went on to recover 10 bodies from the water, some of which were young people. It was very distressing for all involved and of course as many families this morning begin to get the worst of news, our hearts go out to them."
One of the rescuers described it as the worst tragedy he had witnessed in 25 years of service.
RAF helicopters, coastguard and lifeboats are continuing their searches today.
Morecambe Bay is notorious among locals for its perilous rip tide. Two months previously, a group of cockle pickers had to be rescued from the same area.
(gmcg)
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09 February 2004
Five arrested following deaths of cockle pickers
Five people have been arrested by police investigating the deaths of 19 cockle pickers who drowned in Morecambe Bay last week. Nineteen people – 17 men and two women – drowned in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, after being trapped by rising tides while out picking cockles on Thursday evening.
Five arrested following deaths of cockle pickers
Five people have been arrested by police investigating the deaths of 19 cockle pickers who drowned in Morecambe Bay last week. Nineteen people – 17 men and two women – drowned in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, after being trapped by rising tides while out picking cockles on Thursday evening.
09 July 2004
Two charged in connection with Morecombe Bay deaths
Two more people have been charged in relation to the Morecambe Bay tragedy that claimed the lives of 21 Chinese cocklers in February.
Two charged in connection with Morecombe Bay deaths
Two more people have been charged in relation to the Morecambe Bay tragedy that claimed the lives of 21 Chinese cocklers in February.
07 July 2004
Cockle pickers among injured in road crash
At least 15 cockle pickers have been taken to hospital following a road crash in Liverpool today. Two other people were injured in the crash which saw a minibus collide with a lorry on the Balliol Road in Bootle shortly before 5am. Four of those injured, two of whom are in a serious condition, have been taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital.
Cockle pickers among injured in road crash
At least 15 cockle pickers have been taken to hospital following a road crash in Liverpool today. Two other people were injured in the crash which saw a minibus collide with a lorry on the Balliol Road in Bootle shortly before 5am. Four of those injured, two of whom are in a serious condition, have been taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital.
04 May 2004
Body washed up on beach may be cockler
A badly decomposed body discovered on a beach in Morecambe Bay in Lancashire may be that of another drowned cockler. Police have not ruled out the possibility that the body washed up near Bolton-le-Sands may be that of another cockler drowned in February's tragedy when a party of Chinese cockle pickers were trapped on the sands by a rising tide.
Body washed up on beach may be cockler
A badly decomposed body discovered on a beach in Morecambe Bay in Lancashire may be that of another drowned cockler. Police have not ruled out the possibility that the body washed up near Bolton-le-Sands may be that of another cockler drowned in February's tragedy when a party of Chinese cockle pickers were trapped on the sands by a rising tide.
23 February 2015
Man Dies After Being Swept Out To Sea
North Yorkshire Police have confirmed the death of a man in Scarborough after he was swept out to sea. It is understood the man was walking his dog near the Spa in the resort's South Bay when he was swept out to sea at about 18:00 on Sunday.
Man Dies After Being Swept Out To Sea
North Yorkshire Police have confirmed the death of a man in Scarborough after he was swept out to sea. It is understood the man was walking his dog near the Spa in the resort's South Bay when he was swept out to sea at about 18:00 on Sunday.
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