James Downs, 47, and his 11-year-old son Oliver were digging for bait on St Mary's Bay in Kent when they became trapped in soft mud up to their chests as the tide came in. The ex-science teacher feared for their lives as their calls for help were mistaken for friendly waves by beachgoers.
Desperate Struggle Against the Tide
James recalled a 'dark thought' crossing his mind, thinking he might have to hold Oliver up to swim in. He emphasized the importance of teaching children to swim, saying: 'That dark thought went through my mind, I was just thinking at one point ‘I’m going to have to hold him up to swim in’. That’s why it’s vitally important all parents teach their children how to swim.'
The quick-thinking father used his zoologist training from working in Australian rainforests. He deployed a bait pump as a probe to find solid ground and remembered techniques for moving through mangrove swamps—kicking his legs and moving in circles.
Adrenaline-Powered Escape
James described each step as 'weight lifting' as he carried his son to prevent sinking. He said: 'I don’t know how I did it physically, it’s adrenaline and cortisol, normally I wouldn’t be fit enough to pull that off.' When they reached the shore, the tide was lapping at the back of his neck. A couple on the sea wall commented that they looked like they were 'having great fun.'
Council and RNLI Response
Folkestone & Hythe District Council installed 25 additional signs warning of soft mud risks. A council spokesperson said: 'Mudflats are exposed when the tide goes out and covered by water when the tide comes back in. In some areas, this can create a risk of people becoming stuck in soft, quicksand-like ground that can trap feet and make movement difficult.'
An RNLI spokesperson advised: 'If anyone finds themselves, or sees anyone else, in trouble in the sea, we advise calling 999 or 112 immediately and asking for the Coastguard so that the appropriate service can be despatched without delay.'
Kent Fire and Rescue Service noted they have not had any calls to mud incidents in the area over the past five years.
Context of Water Safety
This incident follows the tragic death of a father who tried to save his two children on a UK beach. The Mirror's Save Lives for Sam campaign calls for urgent action on water safety, noting 19 children and adults died in water-related incidents during a single week in May 2026.
