Emergency services spent almost 45 minutes rescuing a man who became stuck in the thick mud off Victoria Esplanade, West Mersea.
Initial reports said the man was drowning, but he managed to get himself out of the water and was making his way back towards the shore when he became stuck.
The drama began at about 4.25pm yesterday, when the man became stranded about 200 yards off the coast road, near to the post office.
Police officers, the fire service and the ambulance service worked together to free the stricken man.
The man was freed just after 5pm by crews who used a triple extension ladder and a sand blaster, which was used to create a vacuum around the man so he could be pulled free. He was not seriously injured.
- More in today's Gazette
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