THE tractor used to rescue a woman in a "life or death" situation is still stuck in the mud in Minehead

The rescue mission launched yesterday to free a woman who had become stuck. 

She was one of four people who found themselves trapped as they attempted to cross from Minehead sea front to the harbour.

Her companions – and their two dogs – managed to struggle free but the woman remained stuck - and quickly surrounded by the incoming tide.

But on rescuing the woman, the tractor was abandoned as it too had become stuck. 


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Minehead RNLI Local Operations Manager Dr John Higgie said the crew had found themselves dealing with a genuine life or death situation.

“By the time they got to the woman the water was almost up to her armpits and understandably she was panicking,” he said.

“At that point we were the only agency capable of saving her and the crew did so quickly, efficiently and decisively. It was a real team effort.

“It was unfortunate that the tractor had to be abandoned but equipment can be replaced: human lives can’t.”