NEARBY beachgoers and residents alerted police to a youth stuck in quicksand-like mud around noon on May 12 near 12th Avenue and Boundary Bay Road. Boundary Bay is very shallow, and the tide can go out very far.

The youth was exploring the beach area, and was approximately 100 yards from shore when he sank up to his waist, and became stuck.

“He literally could not move, and was pretty upset,” said Constable Derek Gallamore, who responded when calls came into police about a youth yelling for help. “People nearby the boy had a rope, but the challenge was to figure out how to help this kid, without getting stuck myself.”

Gallamore found a long piece of driftwood to use as a base and then tossed the rope out to the boy, instructing him to tie the rope around his waist.

“Then I told him to push on the long piece of driftwood as I pulled the rope,” said Gallamore. “Unfortunately, the area was like quicksand. I also sank to my knees at one point. But I got myself clear and then proceeded to pull him out.”

The boy’s father called Gallamore later that day to thank him for rescuing his son.

“We’re very glad this incident had a happy ending,” said Cris Leykauf, spokesperson for Delta Police. “We want to remind the public that there are a number of very deep muddy areas that can be like quicksand, in various locations in Boundary Bay. The safest area to explore the tidal flats is in front of Centennial beach.”