Lifeguards have issued a warning after more than 300 people were rescued after they became stranded by dangerous fast-moving tides at a popular seaside resort. The RNLI said it had received more 999 calls from trapped beach-goers this year than the whole of June.
Wells-next-the-Sea, in Norfolk, is a beautiful seaside town with traditional beach huts lining miles of soft sandy beaches. But the vast expanse of sand is also a danger as seawater can reach speeds of 5mph rushing inland during high tide. Signs on the beach warn visitors to “beware of fast incoming tides” and ask people to ensure they are back to the main beach at least “four hours” before high tide. There is also a siren active during summer months which sounds to recall people who have walked out a distance onto the sands. But new figures from the RNLI show that despite the warnings, 303 beachgoers have had to be rescued after getting cut-off in the space of just three weeks this summer at the pretty seaside town.
ITV News reports Mandy Humphreys, the RNLI’s water safety officer at Wells, said: “The number of people that dial 999 has really increased this year. We have already rescued more people in June than we did in the whole of last year.
“We get a lot of people that wade, with bags children, whatever it is over the top of their heads, we get reports of dads with babies over the top of their heads, wading through chest-deep water, the water is cold, cold enough to produce cold water shock, it’s moving very fast… there’s lots of trip hazards.. that’ a drowning waiting to happen.
“We really want to stop people wading back from the sandbars. If you’re cut off by the tide call 999 and ask for the coastguard.”
Posting on their Facebook page, Wells RNLI shared information about tide timings and explained between July 20 and August 6 this year they had been saving the lives of humans and dogs.
The post read: “132 people and 13 dogs have been safely escorted away from being cut off by the tide at Wells between July 20 and August 6.
“Outside of the lifeguard season, these situations could have ended with 999 calls and for some, the risk of drowning from wading back. Fast-moving, cold tidal water can be deadly.”
To check tide times for Wells-next-the-Sea visit this link.
