Lifeboat crew struggle to park for rescue call-out

An RNLI rescue crew struggled to park their cars at their lifeboat station due to other people parking in their designated spaces.

The volunteers were called out after seven people, including four children, were trapped on a sandbank with an incoming tide at Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, at 11:25 BST on Sunday.

The group was surrounded by deep water, but was successfully taken back to shore, the RNLI said.

"We fully understand that Wells is extremely busy in good weather and we want everyone to enjoy their time at the coast. But in an emergency, every minute matters, and our crew need to be able to access the station without delay," said Wells RNLI operations manager Chris Hardy.

"When our volunteer crew's pagers go off, they leave their homes, workplaces and families to get to the lifeboat station as quickly and safely as possible," added Hardy.

"Today, our crew experienced difficulties parking when responding to this shout.

"The restricted parking near the lifeboat station is clearly marked for RNLI crew and emergency access, and it is vital that these spaces are kept clear."

He asked visitors to respect the restrictions staff, who try to enforce them.

The crew pleaded again with people not to park in their spaces after more issues on Monday morning.

"We are asking everyone, respectfully but very clearly: please do not park in or block RNLI access areas, emergency service spaces, slipways, gates or turning areas," the lifeboat station said in an update on social media.

Wells RNLI water safety officer, Mandy Humphreys, said: "The tide at Wells can come in very quickly and the landscape changes all the time.

"Sandbanks and channels can look safe one moment and become surrounded by deep water the next. It can catch out anyone, even those who know the area well."

She told the BBC it was a "routine" rescue for the team which had rescued more than 100 people from the same "hotspot" location in the last five years.

She reiterated the message that people should check tide times before heading out and said people should return to dry sand or land at least four hours before high tide at Wells Bar.

"We never judge anyone who needs our help. We simply want everyone to enjoy the coast safely and go home safely," she added.

Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.