Cowes Lifeboat

A Rescue operation was launched after a man became trapped in mud on the River Medina this afternoon (Monday May 31)

A passing water taxi “The Folly” raised the alarm after spotting the boat owner up to his middle in the mud and in some distress.

Solent coastguard launched the Cowes RNLI lifeboat with Simon Hawkins at the helm. Crews dragged the man free before returning him to shore to an awaiting ambulance.

The man who had been trapped for over 45 minutes was treated for shock at St Mary’s hospital in Newport and later released.

An RNLI spokesman said “It was a good job the tide was going out and it was still daylight, otherwise his situation could have been a more serious.”