Clacton lifeboat rescues man stuck in mud as water rises

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-32864239

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A lifeboat crew had to rescue a man who got stuck in mud in a river amid rising water levels.

Clacton-on-Sea RNLI was called out at 00:26 BST on Saturday to reports a man who had been drinking had taken a boat out on the River Colne in Essex.

On arrival, the boat was empty and the man, 45, was spotted stuck in mud and the water had reached his legs.

Helmsman Joff Strutt said they pulled the man out of the river and he was taken to hospital with hypothermia.

Essex Police, Essex Fire service and the Maritime and Coastguard agency were involved in the search of the river, near the Anchor Pub at Rowhedge near Colchester.

Mr Strutt said: "When we arrived they were on the south side of the river - which at high tide is 40 to 50m (43 to 54 yards) wide - and man was on the north side.

"The tide was rising and already at his legs, so every moment was crucial."

They pulled the mud-covered man, who is from Rowhedge, out of the river and treated him for hypothermia. He was taken to hospital for further treatment.