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Reindeer dashes from Christmas parade to charge through town

Escaped Reindeer in Formby has been rescued! Southport Rescue Quads were tasked yesterday afternoon with assisting in the search for an escaped reindeer that had broken free from a local Christmas event in Formby. The animal had been missing for several hours and was reportedly seen running through the streets before making its way onto Formby Beach. As darkness set in, Merseyside Police, who had been tracking the reindeer across the dunes and shoreline, lost visual contact. With growing concern that it could stray towards the River Mersey, additional support was urgently requested. Our quad team joined HM Coastguard Southport and HM Coastguard Crosby to carry out an extended search across the beach and dune system. Using specialist thermal binoculars, the team successfully located the reindeer on the beach. While capturing it proved challenging, coordinated efforts allowed the team to carefully shepherd the animal into the sand dunes at Altcar Rifle Range, where a police drone continued to monitor its movements from above. Once the reindeer had finally calmed and settled, a vet ??? supported by the Royal Marines ??? was able to safely secure the animal without further incident. Thanks to the swift, dedicated teamwork of all agencies involved, the reindeer was brought to safety. Christmas is saved.
Run Rudolph Run: a runaway reindeer was in a rush to Formby Beach (Picture: Facebook/HM Coastguard Crosby)

A runaway reindeer wreaked festive chaos after it dashed away from a local Christmas parade.

Southport Offshore Rescue Trust was called out at 4.43pm last night, after the festive fugitive had been missing for several hours last seen headingnorth to the sand dunes of Formby Beach, Liverpool.

A resident who saw it told Sefton Bubble: ‘We thought it was a stag at first, but then a National Trust ranger asked if we’d seen a real reindeer!

‘We pointed them in the direction it went – literally trotting north up the beach.

‘Then the police arrived. They’re really worried about it getting onto the road.’

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Escaped Reindeer in Formby.
Christmas has been saved as the reindeer was recovered (Picture: Facebook/Southport Offshore Rescue Trust)

Merseyside Police were tracking the reindeer across the dunes, but eventually lost sight of the animal as darkness fell.

The Southport Offshore Rescue Trust used thermal binoculars to locate the pesky reindeer on the sand of Formby Beach.

Police drones watched overhead as the animal was herded into the dunes at Altcar Rifle Range.

Once the reindeer was settled, a vet supported by the Royal Marines securely recovered the animal.

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