Five children were rescued from rising waters half a mile offshore at Southend-on-Sea on Sunday after getting into trouble at Shoebury Boom on Shoebury East Beach in Essex at 4.45pm.
Southend-on-Sea RNLI responded to a 999 call reporting five children out by the waterline as the tide was rising. Volunteers launched the charity’s hovercraft at 5pm and headed at top speed to the reported location at Shoeburyness.
Rescue and welfare check
The rescue crew arrived at the scene about half a mile offshore on the water’s edge to find the five children in good health. They were taken onboard the hovercraft and given a welfare check.
The children, cold but uninjured, were taken back to shore where their parents and HM Southend Coastguard Rescue Team were waiting for them, Southend-on-Sea RNLI said in a statement today.
Warning about tidal flats
Southend RNLI volunteer Commander Jonathan Charnock said: “Southend has a vast tidal flat area, at low tide whilst the water can be seen it can be over 1 mile from the shore. East Beach has the added danger of the MoD firing range to the east of the Boom.
“The children were found on their return to shore however they could have come into real danger quickly. With no way of calling for help, improper footwear and an unfamiliarity with the area today’s call could have had a very different outcome.
“If you do go onto the beaches of Southend, check out the local area, know where you can and can’t go. Tell someone your plan and time, properly prepare and have a way of calling for help.”
The charity urged members of the public to always check the weather and tide times for the local area if they are planning to head to the coast.
