Stick to the safe crossing times! Warning after latest rescue on Holy Island causeway
Last updated 8th Jun 2023
The number of motorists getting trapped on the Holy Island causeway this summer is being described as "disappointing".
Seahouses Lifeboat Station has revealed another two people had to be rescued yesterday (Wednesday) when two vehicles were caught out by the rising tide.
Two coastguard officers who waded out to help also had to be transported back to shore, while two more people managed to find their way to safety before they arrived.
It's the latest in a series of emergency service call-outs to the Northumberland beauty spot this year - and has prompted a reminder to the public to stick to the safe crossing times.
Lifeboat spokesman Ian Clayton said: “It is so disappointing that these incidents are continuing, despite all of the publicity, from the Coastguard and the RNLI.
"We can only remind visitors to Holy Island to please check the safe crossing times before attempting to cross the causeway. Do not attempt to cross if the tide is flowing over the roadway."
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Yesterday's drama unfolded shortly before 4.30pm - after reports were received of two cars cut off by the tide. At that time, the number of people involved was not known.
On arrival at the causeway, the Inshore Lifeboat team found two people in the Refuge Box, and transported them to the mainland, where they were handed into the care of local coastguards.
It then returned to the Refuge Box, and transported two Coastguard officers back to Holy Island, who had waded out to assist the casualties.
Two other casualties had managed to wade back to Holy Island unaided, where they were met by the local Coastguard rescue team.
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A spokesperson for the RNLI added: "The RNLI Water Safety Team are continuing to promote and re-examining further options to encourage safe traffic use of the Holy Island Causeway, in an effort to reduce strandings, and are meeting to discuss further options in view of the latest incidents."
Earlier this month, a mix-up with tide times led to two adults and a child being rescued from the Holy Island causeway. The trio had been studying safe crossing times for June the 1st - not realising they had been directed to a council web page for 2022 - before their vehicle became trapped by rising water.
Then, a few days later, two adults and a child were reportedly cut off by the rising tide at Budle Bay, just north of Bamburgh, where they were walking across the sand flats. The Inshore Lifeboat launched and, on its arrival, the casualties were seen safely ashore on the beach.
Speaking at the time, Mr Clayton said: "While it can be very tempting and enjoyable to walk across the sand flats at places like Budle Bay and Holy Island, we do urge visitors to be careful, as the tide rises quite quickly, and can encircle the unwary. Fortunately, on this occasion, the casualties got ashore safely and unaided."
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