Five people were stranded on the sands at Duddon Estuary

Team member Ian Standing said in 48 years of volunteering for the service he had not rescued five people at once. 

The fisherman spotted the group out on the sands between Roanhead and Hodbarrow Point at 8.40pm on April 7 and called the coastguard.

Track of the rescue boat to the rescue point (Image: Duddon Inshore Rescue)

Holyhead Coastguard then relayed the call to the inshore rescue. The party likely only realised the extent of the danger they were in when they saw the blue lights, according to Mr Standing.

Spring tides can mean that the environment changes quicker than even people who know the times anticipate. 

S[ring tides means that water can move quicker in the Duddon Estuary than one might anticipate (Image: Andrew Hill (Creative Commons))

Mr Standing said the group was fortunate the rescuers happened to be at the base for routine maintenance checks and they could be spotted from the lookout tower - although initially they could only see two people as the other members were wearing dark-coloured clothing. 

The inshore rescue crew dispatched two quadbikes and then launched a boat. The boat picked up three people, and two were driven on the quads to safety. 

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Furness Coastguard also assisted and gave a safety talk to the group. 

Mr Standing described the group as 'lucky.'

It was only the second callout so far this year for the team - and normally the crew only rescues one or two people. 

He was glad the group stayed put despite the perilous situation they were in, saying that the 'worst thing you can do' is start swimming from the sands as the currents can sweep you away.

Mr Standing said the recent pleasant weather can be a factor in when call-outs happen.

"It's when that sun comes out. It's that safety aspect of going out onto the beach. Enjoy the beach but don't go venturing out into the sands," he said.

He said 'time is vital' and that members of the public should not hesitate to call 999 and ask for the coastguard if there is something wrong as it can take ten minutes for the crew members to reach the boat house and mobilise.