The theft of a car key left the owner of this car in a precarious position when it became stranded on a local beach with a fast-incoming tide nearby on Sunday (September 9th).
Oliver Fisher had gone kite surfing in the sea off Brean Down on Sunday afternoon and was shocked to find several items of kit and his car key had been stolen on his return to Uphill beach.
He was unable to get into his car, which was parked on the beach. And with a fast-incoming evening tide, he faced a race against time and tide.
The beachwarden alerted Coastguards who in turn called on the help of Burnham-On-Sea’s BARB Search & Rescue soon after 6.30pm.
The team from BARB attached a winch and line onto the Skoda Octavia and then worked with the beachwarden to free the vehicle in the soft sand and begin pulling it up the beach, away from the fast-incoming tide.
As the tide began lapping at the wheels, the driver’s mother arrived with a spare key and he managed to drive it away just in time.
He said: “I’m really grateful to the beachwarden and the team from BARB for all their help.”
Oliver said: “I have been kite surfing along this coastline for many years and never have had anything stolen.”
“It was a heart-stopping few minutes after the theft of my kit bag and car key. I was really concerned.”
A BARB spokesman said its volunteers had been happy to help. “The driver is a knowledgeable beach user and was unfortunate to get into difficulty after the theft of his key.”
Anyone with information about the theft should contact Police on 101. Always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard if you see someone in difficulty on local beaches.
Relieved driver Oliver Fisher with his mother Kristie after the incident
