Morecambe lifeboat crew rescue van driver caught by incoming tide
At 3.50 pm on Tuesday 06 August 2019, for the second time in less than a week, Morecambe’s volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew were tasked by HM Coastguard to go to the aid of a driver reported to be cut off by the tide on the causeway between Overton and Sunderland Point.
The inshore lifeboat proceeded by road to launch at Overton and, while local coastguard team members observed from the shore, the volunteer crew managed to navigate to the stranded vehicle. The van’s driver was then taken on board the lifeboat and transported safely to Snatchems; where he was put ashore.
Morecambe RNLI volunteer Deputy Launching Authority, Colin Midwinter, said ‘There are warning signs in place at the entry to the causeway and we strongly advise people to comply with them. We also encourage everybody to respect the water by always checking the time and height of tide before venturing onto the causeway. The road floods very quickly and you can easily be stranded.Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.