Five children rescued off coast during rising tide

3 hours ago

Rachael McMenemy

News image — Southend-on-Sea RNLI launched their hovercraft to bring the children back to shore

Southend-on-Sea RNLI An orange hovercraft glides across wet sand with some areas completely covered in water amid a rising tide. There are two people on the hovercraft. — Southend-on-Sea RNLI launched their hovercraft to bring the children back to shore

Five children were rescued half a mile (0.8km) offshore as the tide rose around them.

They were reported at Shoebury Boom on Shoebury East Beach in Essex at 16:45 BST on Sunday.

Southend-on-Sea RNLI launched its hovercraft and brought the cold but uninjured children back to shore and their waiting parents.

"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," warned RNLI volunteer Commander Jonathan Charnock.

"Southend has a vast tidal flat area, at low tide the water can be over one mile from the shore. East Beach has the added danger of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) firing range to the east of the Boom," Charnock added.

He urged people to check the local area and ensure they always have a way to call for help when visiting beaches.

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