At 8.30pm on Monday 22 April 2019, Morecambe’s volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew were tasked by HM Coastguard to assist in the search for a number of people believed to be stranded on a sandbank in the area between Kent’s Bank and Arnside.
The inshore rescue hovercraft was launched, and arriving on scene, proceeded to conduct a search for the reported casualties.
A Morecambe RNLI spokesman said: “With the tide beginning to flood and the light failing rapidly, guided by directions from local Coastguard team members based on the shore, the RNLI volunteers conducted a comprehensive search; including the use of a parachute flare to help illuminate the area.
“After failing to find anyone in difficulty, the hovercraft crew were eventually stood down; Coastguard Control having concluded that the initial report was a false alarm with good intent.”