A FORMER Guernsey resident is lucky to be alive after a near death experience while cockle-picking in Morecambe Bay. Irishman Dessie Black, 48, nearly drowned along with eight others after being caught out by the tide.

It occurred after a tractor broke down and got stuck in quicksand and the workers went to help.

The lucky escape was in the same bay where 21 Chinese cockle-pickers died in February.

‘We got stuck between the tides – there are three channels in the bay and in the middle it’s all sand,’ said Mr Black.

‘We left it too late and the tide came running at us – Linford Christie would not have been able to run against it.’

Lifeguards were warned that the workers who had scrambled onto the tractor feared they were going to be drowned.

‘The water overturned the tractor and covered us and we all jumped in different directions.

‘I got dragged down underwater – the water was so powerful.

‘I managed to get back up again but thought ﾓthis is itﾔ.

‘It was scary and dangerous. I still had my wellies and fishing gear on and the current was pulling me up towards Barrow from Morecambe Bay.

‘I went sideways and it was a miracle that I suddenly found my footing, even though the water was up to my neck, and I swam to safety.’

Lifeguards later rescued five other workers.

‘I thought we were gone and we were minutes from tragedy – the first thing I thought about was my son and daughter.’

He has been cockle-picking for the past eight months and said that there was never a dull moment.

‘It’s dangerous but if you keep an eye on the sand, you should be okay – we have been caught a few times by the sinking sand but people are a lot more careful now.’

Up to 100 people a day go cockle-picking in the bay.

‘It’s brilliant – it’s really healthy and keeps you fit. The winter is really rough but it’s a good way of life, although you have to be careful what you are doing.’

His group are the best paid on the beach – they each receive about £15 a bag – he can earn up to £130 on a good day but gets an average of £300 a week.

However, those running the cockle-picking business can receive up to £500 a day

‘There are rival gangs in other places and some illegal immigrants but we don’t see them.’

Mr Black plans to return to Guernsey in November.

‘It’s my home and I miss it,’ he said.

He is playing football in the UK for a pub side and also looks after street children in Morecambe as well as coaching youth football.

* An inquiry into a two-tractor crash in which more than 140 cockle pickers were rescued recently has found no evidence of any criminal intent.

Hovercrafts, helicopters and lifeboats were used to rescue two rival groups of cocklers from the bay on 7 August.