A family of five people from Bristol were rescued by a hovercraft and Coastguards on Saturday (February 26th) after getting stranded on mudflats at Brean.
Burnham-On-Sea’s Light Of Elizabeth hovercraft and two teams of Coastguards were called to Brean beach at 4.10pm to help the family, who were inside a vehicle trapped half a mile from the shore.
The rescue hovercraft, operated by Burnham charity BARB, flew out to the Hyundai Tuckson to safely bring the couple and their three children – aged 7, 4 and 2 – back to the beach.
They were checked over by Coastguards before BARB’s tractor towed the stranded vehicle from the mud.
Car owner Mike Freye, from Bristol, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I’ve driven here in the past and know the dangers, but was amazed at how quickly the car just sank into the mud.”
“I am hugely grateful to the emergency services who helped us. We will be making a donation to BARB after what could have been an expensive day trip to the beach ended happily.”
Burnham Coastguard Ian Jefferies added: “This incident again highlights the dangers of driving out into the mud – we hope that this is not the first of further similar rescues during the year.”
BARB Chairman Mark Newman said: “BARB’s crew were happy to help and were relieved that no-one was hurt in the incident. It served as a timely reminder about staying clear from the mud on our beaches.”
RELATED LINKS:
Official BARB Web site
Burnham Coastguard Web site
