May 23, 2005
Burnham-On-Sea Coastguard rescues three from Brean Down fort

Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards rescued three people at Brean Down late on Sunday evening, May 22, after they had become trapped by the incoming tide.

A 35-year-old male from Gloucester and two boys, aged 8 and 10, got into difficulties at Howe Rock at the Western end of Brean Down after venturing out onto the gun turret during a fishing trip.

The trio soon realised they had misread the tide table when they were unable to get back across a gully onto the mainland.

They shouted and waved to attract the attention of a walker at nearby Brean Fort, who alerted the emergency services using a mobile phone.

Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards were called to the incident and a team of eight officers were on the scene soon after 20:00 hours.

Coastguard Officer Steve Bird said: "Using ropes, two of our cliff rescuers managed to get across to the rock and help the casualties to safety."

Mr Bird added: "They thought they might be able to wait the tide out, but it was quickly getting dark and the tide was already high."

Once back on the mainland, the three were checked over by Coastguard officers and released, having been unharmed.

A similar incident occurred at Howe Rock in August 2004 when a man fell down a gully and seriously injured both his legs.

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