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Family Of Five Rescued From Causeway

Lifeboats News Release

Wednesday 30th September, 5.05pm — the pagers sounded. Our crew were tasked by Humber Coastguard to launch immediately on service following reports of a vehicle stranded on the Holy Island Causeway, with 2 adults and 3 children believed to be inside.

A shot of crew members in the foreground aboard D-Class lifeboat, visible in the distance is Coastguard Rescue helicopter 189.

RNLI/Ollie Whelan

Seahouses D-Class with Rescue Helicopter 189 overhead.
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Within minutes, our RNLI D-Class Inshore Lifeboat was launched and making best speed towards the last reported position.

As further information came through, we were advised that all five people remained inside the vehicle — however, the vehicle had drifted off the carriageway.
This quickly developed into a significant multi-agency response, including Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 189, Seahouses Coastguard Rescue Team, Berwick Coastguard rescue team - Holy Island Coastguard.
North East Ambulance Service, Northumbria Police, North East Air Ambulance.

Thankfully, all five people were safely rescued and returned to shore.
But this incident is another stark reminder of just how quickly the tide can turn on the Holy Island Causeway.

Please check the official safe crossing times before travelling, allow plenty of time, and NEVER attempt to cross when water is covering the road. The tide can rise rapidly and conditions can change quickly.
This was a vehicle carrying three children. What should have been a family journey home could have had a very different outcome.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in yesterday's response.

Photo Credit RNLI Seahouses Lifeboat Helmet Camera Screenshot
A shot of crew members in the foreground aboard D-Class lifeboat, visible in the distance is a dark coloured vehicle almost fully submerged.

RNLI/Ollie Whelan

Seahouses RNLI responding to vehicle almost fully submerged.
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RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Ollie Whelan, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI North and East, [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]

Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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.

About the author

Ollie Whelan
Social Media Officer, Seahouses

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