Police
POLICE detained a 46-year-old man under the mental health act on Southport beach last night after he tried to walk into the sea.
Emergency services were called at 7.10pm on Thursday April 16 to the beach 100 yards south of Southport Pier after Rangers had tried to bring the man back to safety but been refused.
A coastguard spokeman said: " The man had been approached by rangers and was unwilling to return to land. Police approached the man before Southport Coastguard Rescue Team had arrived on scene and the man was taken to Southort Police Station where he was further questioned."
It is believed the man was as little as 100 yards away from the sea as high tide occured a few hours earlier. The area he was in is described as dangerous by the coastguard as it is filled with quicksand and boggy patches which can suck the unwary down and trap them while the tide comes in.
It is believed the man had not made a warning phonecall to emergency services and was intending to drown himself in the sea.
