Walsall teenager sees car stranded in sea after being caught out by tide
Time and tide wait for no man – even if he's only popped off for a picnic in the sun. Because when Andy Laird returned from a picnic to collect his car, he found his Vauxhall Corsa submerged in the sea.
The teenager had failed to check the tide times before leaving his car at the beach in Burnham-on-Sea.
The 19-year-old returned from a walk up the nearby Brean Down to find the vehicle caught in the tide.
The beach warden and a team from rescue charity Burnham Area Rescue Boat were called.
They ensured no-one was stuck inside or putting themselves at risk trying to reach the vehicle, while helping with its retrieval. It has now prompted a warning to visitors with cars to check tide times before driving onto beaches.
Mr Laird, from Walsall, said: "I was up on the Down enjoying a picnic and forgot about the tide coming in. It was a shock to come back and find the car had been surrounded by the sea. I am grateful to BARB and the beach warden for their help."
He had parked on Brean beach which became engulfed by the incoming tide shortly after 5pm on Saturday.
BARB spokesman Mark Newman today warned visitors to be wary.
"We always advise motorists to check the tide times before driving onto our local beaches and to heed warning signs and not take unnecessary risks," he said.
"We have a wonderful coastline that can be safely enjoyed by holidaymakers and locals alike if used sensibly."
It is not the first time people from the region have been caught up in problems this year. Three holidaymakers from Walsall had to be rescued by coastguards after they were stranded on a beach in Wales.
The family of four, from Aldridge, were holidaying in the Ceredigion area.
