A major emergency operation unfolded on the Merseyside coast over the weekend after a reindeer made a daring escape from a festive event, leading police, coastguards, and even the Royal Marines on an overnight chase.
The Great Escape and Beachside Pursuit
The incident began on Saturday afternoon when the reindeer, named Buddy, broke free from a Christmas event in Formby. By around 4.45pm, the Southport Offshore Rescue Trust (Southport Lifeboat) was alerted to assist in the search. Merseyside Police reported sightings of the animal on local roads as it headed determinedly towards the coastline.
Fearing Buddy could end up in a nearby river, authorities escalated the response. They called in the lifeboat team's quad bikes for a land-based search, supported by coastguard units from both HM Coastguard Southport and HM Coastguard Crosby.
Thermal Tech and a Sand Dune Standoff
The search teams successfully located the reindeer using thermal imaging binoculars. Using their quad bikes, they then carefully herded Buddy into some sand dunes, where a police drone was deployed to keep a constant watch on the resting animal.
With the reindeer settled in the dunes, a complex plan was formed to safely secure him. A vet made a long journey from Salisbury in Wiltshire, bringing sedatives to tranquillise the large animal so it could be transported.
Royal Marines Assist in Early Hours Rescue
The vet's efforts in the early hours of Sunday morning were supported by an unexpected ally: the Royal Marines. The elite force, who were conducting exercises on a nearby firing range, lent their expertise to the unusual mission.
At approximately 1.20am, the team successfully sedated Buddy. He was then loaded into a trailer and has since been safely returned to his owners in Wales.
Reflecting on the "bizarre" evening, a spokesperson for Southport Lifeboat stated, "Christmas is saved thanks to some great work from multiple agencies." They added the escapade was "quite topical for the time of year."
Merseyside Police Chief Inspector Jacqueline Overy emphasised the seriousness of the incident, noting, "The reindeer had posed a genuine risk both to its own safety and the public by entering roads, and it was vital that he was secured." She praised the coordinated efforts of all the specialist teams involved in tracking and locating the animal after darkness fell.
