Amazon Delivery Van Trapped on Notorious Essex Mudflat Path After GPS Mishap
An Amazon delivery driver became stranded on mudflats in Essex after a satellite navigation system directed the vehicle onto a pathway locally dubbed the "deadliest footpath in Britain." The incident occurred on The Broomway near Great Wakering, Essex, prompting an emergency response from HM Coastguard.
Coastguard Alert and Vehicle Recovery
HM Coastguard was notified at 11:30 AM on Sunday regarding "a report that an Amazon delivery vehicle had driven onto The Broomway." The driver had been following GPS directions to Foulness Island on Saturday evening but was forced to abandon the van and report the situation to Amazon. A Coastguard spokesperson confirmed that the Southend Coastguard Rescue Team attended the scene, verified no individuals were in danger, and then stood down.
Amazon was informed of the incident and coordinated with a local farmer to recover the vehicle, which was successfully extracted by 3:30 PM. The emergency service emphasized that their primary concerns were occupant safety and potential pollution, both of which were addressed.
The Broomway: A Hazardous Historical Route
The Broomway is a 600-year-old, six-mile route across flat sands connecting the shore near Southend-on-Sea to Foulness Island. Managed by Essex Highways, it is unsuitable for vehicles and is recommended only for pedestrians accompanied by expert guides familiar with the treacherous mudflats. Additionally, the pathway serves as a Ministry of Defence firing range overseen by defence contractor Qinetiq.
Access to Foulness Island correctly requires passing through a left barrier via Qinetiq's security office, a detail the GPS failed to account for. HM Coastguard Southend warned that the area is "extremely dangerous" and located on MOD property, accessible only when firing ranges are inactive and barriers are open.
Dangers and Historical Context
On-site signage clearly states that "The Broomway is unmarked and very hazardous to vehicles and pedestrians." The location is infamous for rapid tides and dense, disorienting fog that often catch people off guard. According to parish council records, at least 100 people have died on The Broomway, primarily from tidal entrapment or visibility issues, with the last recorded fatality in 1919.
This history has earned the pathway a reputation among locals as Britain's most dangerous. Originally used by farmers and travellers before modern roads existed, it remains a perilous route despite its historical significance. Amazon has not commented on the incident following requests from media outlets.
