Donate now

4 X 4 sleeping driver on Holy Island Causeway instigates multiple 999 calls

Lifeboats News Release

At 5.54pm on Thursday 25th July 2024 Seahouses RNLI were paged by HM Coastguard, their second call of the day.

Image: Seahouses Inshore Lifeboat launching.

RNLI/Ian Clayton

Image: Seahouses Inshore Lifeboat launching.
There had been multiple 999 calls, reporting what appeared to be a 4 X 4 vehicle cut off in the rising tide at Holy Island Causeway. The Inshore Lifeboat, D-828 Grace Darling, was launched and made best speed to the Causeway. Local Coastguard Shore Based Rescue Teams had also been mobilised to the scene.

On arrival, it was established that the vehicle driver had been asleep in his vehicle and had been unaware of the rising tide around his vehicle. He had managed to move his vehicle to higher ground and was on the island shoreline on arrival of the lifeboat. No further assistance was required, and the lifeboat returned to station.

High tide at Holy Island was at 6.51pm, and the Causeway was closed by the tide from 4.25pm until 10.20pm.

Seahouses RNLI Volunteer Press Officer Ian Clayton said: 'This was an unusual call to the Causeway for our crew indeed.
'Fortunately, the driver must have awoken and realised his situation and was able to quickly get his vehicle to higher ground. Meanwhile concerned members of the public had correctly made multiple 999 calls to report the incident.
'The fast rising tide did initially concern the rescue authorities, but the driver was able to rescue his situation.
'If you are fatigued while driving, and need a rest, please be careful where you choose to pull over and park up!'.

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, Twitter 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.

Categories