A SEARCH and Rescue Team successfully rescued two ‘pitiful and helpless’ sheep which had become stuck in encased concrete quicksand on the bay yesterday.

Bay Search and Rescue (BSAR) were paged to rescue the two animals after the team received no immediate response from local farmers known to have sheep grazing on the marsh.

A decision was made to launch the amphibious rescue vehicle ‘The Sherp’ from The Bob-In Café in Arnside.

Two mobile units also attended the scene from Milnthorpe and Flookburgh carrying a full complement of quicksand rescue equipment in preparation for the two animals stuck several hundred metres apart.

The crews from Grange and Flookburgh got to work on the animal that had been initially reported stuck, whilst the Sherp crew came across the other stricken animal just behind the viaduct at Arnside on their way to the job.

Both animals had been stuck for several hours, as the sand had set like concrete around them, BSAR confirmed.

The animals were encased in concrete like sand resulting in the area around them being too soft to safely walk on.

However, BSAR have a number of inflatable air pathways which allow them to spread their body weight whilst pumping water in and around their legs to release the pressure and grip which was formed.

The animals were safely released from the sands and carried back to safety and into the hands of the former who had learnt of the incident just as the siren went to announce the incoming tide.

A spokesperson from BSAR said: “A great result and a great bit of teamwork. These animals looked very pitiful and helpless until we arrived, but soon regained the strength to walk again once lifted out.

“If you see someone in trouble on our coastline don’t hesitate dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard they will get the most appropriate team to the job.”