Published: July 22, 2012
Spanish holidaymakers spark Coastguard mudflats incident at Brean

Five mud-covered Spanish holidaymakers were walked to safety by Coastguards at Brean on Sunday (July 22nd) after sparking a safety scare on the mudflats at low tide.

The five youngsters, pictured, were seen wading through waist-deep mud over a mile from the shore at low tide.

A team of Burnham Coastguards and two rescue hovercrafts from BARB (Burnham Area Rescue Boat) were called to the beach at 3.25pm after the beach warden raised the alarm.

Brean beachwarden Dave Furber told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The five young holidaymakers were so far out on the mudflats - well over a mile - that all I could see were tiny dots on the horizon next to the tideline."

"They were in an area of deep mud so there was concern they would get stuck, which is why we alerted the Coastguard, who were quickly on the scene with BARB. Fortunately, they managed to get back to the shore safely."

They were met by Coastguards, who gave them safety advice about the danger of walking on the mudflats at low tide.

Burnham Coastguard Ian Jefferies told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The incident serves as a fresh warning about walking in the mud. Chasing the tide on a falling tide is potentially a very dangerous thing to do."