THE quick-thinking of a group of Minehead fishermen saved a man trapped in deep mud in Minehead harbour on Tuesday afternoon.

Coastguard, ambulance and fire and rescue teams were on their way to the scene when the fishermen, using scaffolding boards to reach the man, managed to pull him free and bring him safely ashore.

A Watchet Coastguard spokesman said the mud rescue team had been alerted along with Minehead fire station and Bridgwater specialist rescue team, but the situation had been dealt with when they arrived.

While praising the fishermen’s “quick thinking”, the spokesman added: “We would always advise the public not to take risks and potentially become potential casualties, but instead try to reassure the casualty while calling the emergency services.”

The Coastguard spokesman warned that anyone trapped in mud or quicksand can suffer from a condition called “hydrostatic squeeze” which on release can cause a sudden blood rush and stress to the heart. The Minehead mud victim had been checked by paramedics after his ordeal.