Two adults and three children cut off by the tide at Budle Bay, Northumberland
Lifeboats News Release
At 1:37pm on Monday 14 October 2019, UK Coastguard requested the launch of Seahouses inshore lifeboat (ILB) following a report to two adults and three children cut off by the tide at Budle Bay, north of Bamburgh.
They were waist deep in water, with the tide rising.
At 1:45pm the ILB launched on service and made best speed to the location. The Berwick all-weather lifeboat was on passage to Amble for maintenance repairs, and being close to Budle Bay, also responded to the incident.
The Berwick Lifeboat Crew were able to spot the casualties and guided the Seahouses inshore lifeboat straight to their location. The bay is too shallow for the larger lifeboat to enter.
The five casualties, who were wet and cold, were then conveyed by the Seahouses inshore lifeboat to the shore. They were then handed into the care of local Coastguard Officers and Paramedics. After being checked by the paramedics, none required further medical assistance. Once all were safe, the Seahouses lifeboat returned to station, and the Berwick Lifeboat crew were thanked and continued their passage to Amble. High tide was at 4:02pm.
There are no photographs of the incident, and the RNLI have no information about the casualties’ identity.
Seahouses Lifeboat Operations Manager commented: 'We have had several calls this year to Budle Bay, and urge the public visiting the area to be aware of the speed the tide can flood sandy bays and mudflats, catching out the unwary. On this occasion, a speedy response by the emergency services resulted in a positive outcome, which could easily have ended more tragically.
RNLI Media contacts
For more information please contact Ian Clayton, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer:
[email protected]
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.
