A WOMAN trapped in deep mud with water from a rising tide already up to her armpits was dramatically saved by Minehead’s lifeboat crew on Monday in what was described as “a life and death situation”.

The 40-year-old holidaymaker was one of four people who became trapped in deep mud as they attempted to cross from Minehead seafront to the harbour, and the lifeboat crew found themselves in a race against time to save them.

But while trying to get their D-Class boat as near as possible to the scene on its trailer, the launch tractor had to be abandoned after it became trapped in the mud and was submerged by the tide.

The two-litre turbo-diesel Loglogic Tooltrak tractor remained there until Wednesday, when it was finally dragged ashore by a powerful digger owned by local contractors C J Lynch and Sons.

It was then put on a low loader and taken to RNLI headquarters in Poole for drying-out and repairs.

The woman’s companions – and their two dogs – managed to struggle free but she remained stuck and as her situation became increasingly dangerous, the lifeboat was launched and coastguard and fire service units arrived on the scene.

RNLI spokesman Chris Rundle said: “The lifeboat crew managed to manoeuvre the D class close to the woman then removed its floor mat to support her while they dug under the water around her legs to free her.

“She was finally hauled clear and put ashore, shocked but unhurt, on the harbour.

“But by then the D class launch tractor had itself had become bogged down in the mud and despite efforts to free it had to be abandoned.”