HIGH TIDES LEAD TO TWO RESCUES IN TWO DAYS IN ILFRACOMBE

The current high tides around the North Devon Coast have led to two calls for help on two consecutive days from people who have been cut off by the incoming tide around Ilfracombe.

At just after 6pm today Swansea Coastguard were called by a member of the public who noticed that two people had become cut off at Hele Bay, east of Ilfracombe. The RNLI lifeboat from Ilfracombe and the Ilfracombe Coastguard Rescue Team were sent to the scene and the two people were brought safely to shore by the lifeboat.
In yesterday’s almost identical incident Swansea Coastguard received a call for help at just after 5pm.  A young woman had been cut off by the tide in Lee Bay, North Devon. She had tried to wade through the incoming tide but thought better of it and climbed up a rock to wait for help. Swansea Coastguard sent the Ilfracombe  RNLI lifeboat and the Ilfracombe Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene. The young woman was rescued by the lifeboat and re-united with her friends on the shore.

Swansea Coastguard Watch Manager Dave Jones said:
“It might just be an unlucky coincidence that we’ve had two almost identical rescues in two days around Ilfracombe but it’s more likely that people are getting caught out by the high spring tides that we have at the moment. This tide comes in faster and further than usual and so for this reason people out and about on the North Devon coast need to be especially careful when planning their walk along the beach.

“Always check the weather and tide timetable before you set out on your walk and wear appropriate clothing. If you do get cut off call 999 Coastguard.”
-Ends-

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