INTERVIEWS: Morecambe remembers the cockling tragedy 20 years on

Tuesday, 6 February 2024 09:07

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Remembering the victims of the Morecambe Bay cockling tragedy at a service held on Monday February 5

People came together in Morecambe to remember and reflect on the cockling tragedy of 20 years ago.

Two services were held on Monday at the Morecambe in-shore lifeboat station to pay respects to 23 people from China who died while picking cockles in Morecambe Bay on February 5 2004.

An evening service led by the Rt Rev Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn, included a candlelight vigil to remember the victims, who were immigrants forced to work in highly dangerous conditions.

Rt Rev North said he hoped the memorial would also serve to highlight continuing cases of modern slavery.

Rt Rev North is pictured below at last night's service. Image from Lancaster City Council.

James Liu from the Chinese Community Association in North Lancashire said he felt the "love and kindness of people" at the memorial service.

The Morecambe lifeboat crew played a leading part in the rescue and recovery of migrants stranded on the treacherous sands of the Bay.

Paul Turner was the helm of Morecambe lifeboat on the night and said the anniversary was a vivid reminder of the tragedy.

Rev Chris Krawiec, rector of Morecambe Parish Church (pictured below at the service, image from Lancaster City Council), said it was important to mark the anniversary and remember the victims.

Thank you to Nigel Thompson for the above interviews.

An afternoon service was also held at the cockling memorial next to the lifeboat station, attended by members of the emergency and rescue services.

Paul Harrison, who was on duty for Liverpool coastguard that night, and fisherman Harold Benson, who helped with the search, spoke to Beyond Radio about their memories of the tragedy.