Rising tide traps sun-seekers after closure of bridge

Emergency: Businesses are left counting the cost

An emergency operation was launched yesterday when dozens of sun-seekers became trapped by the rising tide after a popular bridge in Moray was sealed off on safety grounds.

The closure of the East Beach crossing in Lossiemouth has left the coastal community deserted and businesses “devastated” on what was one of the hottest days of the year.

Beach-goers resorted to wading through the river, some with dogs in arms and with buggies above their heads, in an effort to get to the usually popular sands.

Lifeboat crews and the Coastguard were then called at about 5pm last night after about 50 people, mainly teenagers, became stuck on the wrong side of the river.

Emergency crews carried the youths to shore, either in the rescue craft or escorted slowly across the bridge in groups of two.

Just hours earlier locals warned of the looming crisis as they watched hundreds of people take to the beach despite the rising tide.

Mike Mulholland, chairman of Lossiemouth Community Council, said: “It can’t be allowed to continue like this. We can’t stand here all the time and make sure people are all right.

“While I’ve been standing here watching the lifeboat I’ve seen another couple swim across the river. It’s just madness, they’ve got no idea what the conditions will be like later.”

Moray Council shut the troubled crossing on Tuesday evening amid reports it was “unstable” and could be seen “leaning to one side”.

During an evacuation of the beach that day, where people used the bridge in small numbers, engineers heard a “ping” before seeing a piece of steelwork plunge into the water. That caused the structure to drop.

Meanwhile, businesses have been counting the cost as takings plummeted with the temperature on the coast soared to 28C.

Brenda McGregor, who works at the Firth Hotel, said: “It’s absolutely awful for us all.

“We have been absolutely heaving all week thanks to the sun and now it’s just all gone.”

Photograph by Jason Hedges RESPONSE: Beach-goers are rescued by the RNLI after being caught out by the tide.