Two people were rescued after being cut off by the tide on a walk south of Tynemouth Longsands Beach.
A call from HM Coastguard at 1.39pm on Tuesday alerted the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade (TVLB) that a group of five adults, one child and three dogs had attempted to walk past the old outdoor swimming pool to the rocks by Sharpness Point between Tynemouth Longsands and King Edwards Bay. They had then been cut off by the incoming tide.
Three of the adults, the child and dogs had been able to make their way up the cliff and over a fence. However, two remaining adults did not feel safe using this road and the Brigade stepped in.
Read more: Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade has busiest summer on record
After evaluating extraction options, taking into account "challenging" sea conditions and the fact that the cliff face at Sharpness Point is known to be unstable and difficult to navigate, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were asked to attend so that a ladder could be lowered down to the casualties. Both casualties were brought to a position of safety using the ladder shortly after the fire service arrived.
Although the group said they had checked the tide times ahead of their walk, they acknowledged that they hadn't appreciated the rate at which the tide comes in at Longsands, and Brigade members passed on safety advice for exploring the coastline. All rescue units were stood down at 3pm.
Peter Lilley of the TVLB said: "At the southern end of the beach where they were cut off, it's unusual for us to get a callout there. I think they weren't familiar with the coast and having a nice time and they just lost track of the tide.
"Longsands is a safe beach generally, and the group thought they would be alright where they were until high tide but in reality that's not how it works. Tide tables are available to look at, and there are lots of apps you can use, and it's also about knowing that tides come in and out and certain places become cut off in the hours before high tide."
This is the 129th callout that the Tynemouth Volunteer Brigade has attended in 2022, continuing on from its busiest summer on record.
Have you ever been cut off by the tide when out for a walk? Let us know!
Read next
-
North East coastal museum wins Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Award
-
Tynemouth skies filled with orange paper planes in protest against Rwandan refugee plans
-
Then & now: A day at Tynemouth Longsands 110 years ago - and the same scene today
-
North East beach named one of the best for swimming in the UK
-
Tynemouth group hopes to restore outdoor pool to its former glory after 10-year campaign
