I VERY much enjoyed reading Roger Bingham's article on the dangers of Morecambe Bay (Gazette, January 24 'Danger always lurks in Morecambe Bay').

I was especially interested to see the photograph of Arthur Nelson who, in January 1946, rescued my father from the quicksands!

My father, A.L. Birkett (Lieutenant a the time), from Leasgill, had gone to look for likely places to shoot ducks that evening. Although he had lived a mile from the estuary all his life, he still got caught out by a newly formed channel. He was very quickly up to his waist.

A farmer from High Foulshaw on the far side of the estuary heard my father's shouts.

He rounded up other farm workers and drove a van round via Levens and alerted Arthur Nelson at his farm.

As my father weakened, his dog stood barking on the levee to guide the rescuers.

My father had managed to hold on to a log with one arm, but by the time Arthur arrived with his straw bales he had sunk up to his neck. Eventually he was dragged out, carried home, given whisky and tea and put to bed! He had been in the wet mud for 90 minutes - in winter.

I'm not sure if Arthur got an award for this rescue but the cocker spaniel, Raggie, was awarded the Blue Cross for staying with his master.

What a contrast to the way emergencies are dealt with nowadays with mobile phones, helicopters, and Bay Rescue, compared with the self-help of those days.

H. Gibbs

Kendal