A vehicle which became trapped in treacherous mud at Brean, near Burnham-On-Sea, last year may have to be removed by army experts, it was confirmed this week.
After several failed attempts to move the vehicle, Brean Parish Councillors discussed at their meeting on Monday the option of inviting the army to pull the Range Rover out of the mud in order to make the beach safe in time for this year’s tourist season.
Regular Burnham-On-Sea.com readers will remember the vehicle became trapped last April when its owners foolishly ignored warning signs and drove it almost a half mile out into the mud.
Vice Chairman of the parish council, Jon Harris, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The vehicle could be a danger to jet skiers and boat users so we are trying to have it removed.”
“Talks are underway with the army to see whether they might be able to remove it as part of a training exercise,” he confirmed.
“We hope they might be able to pull it free – it’s stuck fast at the moment.”
The £5,000 Range Rover became trapped on the mudflats on April 12th last year. Disaster struck when its wheels sank into the ooze, trapping it.
Since then, the vehicle has been eroded by the waves but councillors are still concerned that its metal surrounds pose a risk.
Our photo at the top of this page clearly shows the vehicle is visible this week – ten months after it first became trapped.
Mr Harris added: “It does need to be removed. We’ve also been trying to get in touch with the vehicle’s owners to see if they might consider making a claim from their insurance to have it removed, but we’ve been unable to reach them.”
Range Rover gets that sinking feeling on Burnham beach