Mother's Quick Thinking Praised After Dramatic Mud Rescue in Whitby Harbour
A mother from Lancashire has been hailed as a hero by coastguard officials after she became trapped in waist-deep mud while rescuing her young daughter at Whitby Harbour. Kadassi Nembhard, 33, was on the final day of her family holiday when the terrifying incident unfolded last Wednesday.
Dramatic Rescue Operation Unfolds
The stay-at-home mum from Darwen was enjoying a beach day with her three-year-old daughter and friends when she noticed her child beginning to sink near the water's edge. What appeared to be normal sand quickly turned treacherous as Kadassi rushed to pull her daughter to safety.
"I had gone to grab her and I managed to pull her out, but then I got stuck there," Kadassi recalled. "It just looked like normal sand. It didn't look like anything different."
Once her daughter was safe, Kadassi found herself sinking rapidly into the thick mud. Within minutes, she was trapped up to her knees and unable to move her feet due to the boots she was wearing.
Coastguard Commends Mother's Response
Whitby Coastguard has praised Kadassi's response to the dangerous situation, noting that her actions "significantly reduced" the risk of further harm. A spokesperson explained that remaining still and calling for assistance were exactly the right things to do in such circumstances.
"The casualty did exactly the right thing by remaining still and asking for assistance," the coastguard statement confirmed. "This significantly reduced the risk of further harm."
Multi-Agency Rescue Effort
The rescue operation involved multiple emergency services and lasted approximately thirty minutes. Two passers-by initially attempted to help but also became stuck in the mud themselves, highlighting the treacherous conditions.
RNLI rescuers eventually freed Kadassi using a combination of tools including a spade, a plank of wood, and a signboard brought by a local fisherman. The innovative approach involved one rescuer standing on the board while another scooped out mud and lifted her legs free.
"They managed to lift me up, put me on the pub board, one stood on it, he scooped out and then one was lifting my leg up to get me out," Kadassi described the rescue process.
Emotional Aftermath and Gratitude
Throughout the ordeal, Kadassi maintained her composure for her children's sake, despite feeling "petrified" inside. Her daughter was screaming and crying, unable to reach her trapped mother.
"I didn't want to show them that mum was scared," she explained. "Panic was setting in because I realised that I was stuck and this all happened within minutes."
After being freed, coastguard officers assisted Kadassi to a nearby boathouse where she could warm up, change into dry clothing, and continue with her day. She has since expressed profound gratitude to her rescuers.
"They are the heroes because I don't know what I would have done without them," Kadassi said. "If it wasn't for them it'd be a different story."
Important Safety Lessons
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can exist in seemingly safe coastal areas. Whitby Coastguard emphasized that "a strong multi-agency response resulted in a positive outcome" in this case.
Coastguard officials recommend that anyone finding themselves in similar circumstances should:
- Remain as still as possible to avoid sinking further
- Call for professional assistance immediately
- Avoid having multiple people attempt rescue without proper equipment
- Stay calm and reassure others while waiting for help
The successful rescue operation demonstrates the importance of both public awareness and professional emergency response capabilities in coastal communities.
