Beach alert to drivers after van ‘disappears’
EMERGENCY services were deployed when a van disappeared from sight at Ainsdale beach.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS), the Coastguard and Southport Lifeboat were despatched when a concerned beachgoer feared the van had been lost in the sea on Tuesday night.
A search and rescue operation was launched but it transpired that the van, which was being used by a fisherman collecting nets, was actually obscured by mist rather than having been washed away.
The incident came weeks after a group of friends spent hours trying to free their car which had become stuck on Ainsdale beach one morning and ended up having to pay hundreds of pounds for it
to be recovered the next day.
Danish Yousuf, 24, was a passenger in the car and said: “When we arrived at the beach it was still dark so we could not see the signs warning drivers about the sand and tide.
“We got stuck straightaway. We started digging, but then we realised that the tide was coming in. We spent all morning calling for help – we phoned the emergency services and breakdown recovery companies.”
Now, Sefton Council and the fire service has warned drivers to take extra care at the beach.
A Sefton spokesman said: “We would always encourage all our beachgoers to respect our coastline, whether that be keeping it free from litter or making sure they stay safe from danger.
“Although it is a rare occurrence, motorists who ignore soft sand warnings may find themselves in difficulty.
“There is a real risk of lives being put at stake when people ignore the dangers that high tides and soft sand can present.
“Vehicles also contain chemicals and oils which can cause pollution to our beautiful and protected coastline.
“Areas where vehicles are allowed on our beaches are clearly signposted in order to protect our coastline, which is one of the most ecologically important coastal sites in the country.
“Regardless of if you are in a vehicle or not, we would ask all visitors to adhere to the rules in order to keep themselves and others safe.”
A spokesman for MFRS added: “Please be aware that our beautiful coastline can be treacherous. Recently, MFRS and HM Coastguard were called upon to rescue a dog walker who was stuck in the mud with two dogs – they were all okay but with the tide rising things could have been very different.”