A 21-YEAR-OLD has spoken of the dangers of the sea after water poured in around her while she was stuck in mud.

Lucien Cruse, 21, was walking her dogs on Bradwell beach at low tide last October with mum Emma and younger brother Tyler when they became trapped in the thick mud.

Lucien was stuck fast, but her mother and brother managed to get themselves free and raise the alarm as the water crept ever closer.

Lucien said West Mersea RNLI’s lifeboat crew saved her life as the water rose up her body.

Lucien said: “I tried all sorts of ways to get out of the mud.

“I admit, I was pretty scared when the tide came up all the way to my waist.”

The 999 call was received by HM Coastguard who sent rescue teams from West Mersea and South Woodham.

Due to the speed at which the tide was closing in, the control room made the decision to also request the launch of the West Mersea lifeboat to reach the 21-year-old as quickly as possible.

Lucien said: “It took the lifeboat about ten minutes to reach us and they managed to dig the mud out from around me and get me free.

“I’m so grateful to all involved for saving my life.”

After being stuck in the mud and water for 40 minutes Lucien was suffering from severe cold and had to be wrapped in a thermal sheet.

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A year on from the incident, Lucien is now urging people to be careful and take measures to avoid what happened to her last October half-term.

During last year’s half-term holidays, RNLI lifeboats launched 143 times and aided 78 people as crews dealt with everything from tidal cut-offs and struggling paddleboarders, to slips and trips on coastal paths.

RNLI senior water safety manager Tony Wafer said: “With the best of the weather behind us for the year, we’re asking those visiting the coast this half-term to consider the dangers.

“Our lifeboats often rescue those cut off by the tide on coastal walks, so we encourage you to check the tide times and ensure you have planned to get back safely before the water level rises.

“For those planning a coastal walk, also consider the terrain as what may seem like firm ground can, in fact, be very soft sand or mud, meaning people might get stuck.

“Over the coming months, sea conditions will become rougher and more unpredictable which brings many additional dangers.

“Large waves will break on the shoreline which increases the risk of people being swept off their feet, along with coastal erosion causing cliff falls making some areas more dangerous.”