TWO teenagers sparked a large-scale rescue operation when they got stuck waist-deep in a muddy creek.

Firefighters, coastguard teams, the RNLI hovercraft, and a police helicopter were all called to help after the boys, aged 16 and 15, tried to cross a tidal creek near Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, on Saturday afternoon.

The pair were trapped for two hours before a specialist fire service team managed to pull them out and on to an inflatable raft.

The relievedmother of one the boys later said they were lucky to be alive.

Melissa Laws, 36, of Vange Hill Drive, Vange, received a phone call from her son, 16 year-old Robert May, saying he was trapped in the mud with his friend, Jak Croucher, 15, at about 4pm on Saturday.

Ms Laws said: “He phoned me, but said not to worry as the emergency services were on their way.

“Apparently, the police helicopter crew were shouting ‘stay still, stay still’ as they could have sunk further in otherwise.

“I was anxious, but didn’t really understand the gravity of the situation until I was called by the police at 5.30pm. It was overwhelming to see all the emergency services there, but they were so amazing and did a brilliant job. I was told he was very lucky, because if the tide had been in, or it had been different weather, it could have been a very different story.”

The boys got stuck while Robert was hiking in the country park with Jak and another friend. They tried to cross the creek to take a shortcut back home. The third boy got across, but Robert and Jak got stuck about 20ft from the bank.

A specialist team from Leigh fire station was called to help the boys, who were eventually brought ashore by the Southend RNLI hovercraft.

The mud-covered pair were then taken to Basildon Hospital suffering from shock and cold, but sent home a couple of hours later.

Rhonda Croucher, Jak’s mumwas unable to get down to the creek because of transport problems.

She said: “It was a scary day and I was very stressed and upset, I had no wayof getting to my son to be with him, but I’m just so grateful to all the rescue teams for doing such a fantastic job.”

Ms Croucher also paid tribute to passers-by, including a man who stripped off his shoes and socks and tried to help the boys, taking their bags, so they would not sink further.

Ms Laws added: “My son is quite sensible and they had backpacks and boots on for the hike, so they were prepared.

It shows how it can be done so easily.

“As long as they’ve learned a lesson, that’s good, but I’m really thankful to the emergency services.”