An £80,000 Land Rover Discovery was swallowed by the tide on Abersoch beach in Gwynedd on Sunday morning, despite calm sea conditions. The luxury SUV was spotted gradually vanishing beneath the waves, with a tow rope still attached, as efforts to rescue it were abandoned.
Dog walkers first noticed the vehicle during early morning strolls on the popular beach, known for its expensive beach huts. It is believed the car got into difficulty while attempting to recover a boat trailer or jet ski. The Llŷn Peninsula resort, nicknamed 'Cheshire by the sea', is frequented by upmarket 4x4s and second home owners.
A photograph posted by Abersoch.com initially sparked disbelief among locals and visitors, who had walked the beach and seen nothing. However, the site clarified that the 10am tide had fully submerged the vehicle. An eyewitness confirmed the image was genuine, stating, 'People are paddleboarding over its roof.'
Locals noted that such incidents are not uncommon, attributing them to poorly-equipped vehicles and a lack of seaside knowledge. One social media user remarked, 'Not the first and it won't be the last,' while another added, 'Oh dear. The tide comes in. Who knew?' Some compared the scene to a Top Gear challenge, questioning if the car would start and drive away.
The incident has been seen as the start of the 'silly season' when coastal mishaps increase with visitor numbers. A Manchester man recalled doing the same 30 years ago with his Ford Sierra while trying to retrieve a jet ski. Despite the mockery, including 'can't park there' jokes and 'Chelsea tractor' taunts, there was sympathy for the owner's 'very expensive weekend'.
As the tide receded, the Discovery's shape gradually reappeared. The vehicle, a mid-size luxury SUV with off-road capability, starts at around £80,000. One observer noted that its 4x4 capability 'probably gave him a sense of security that it can go anywhere - we all know it can't'.
