CHECK TIDAL CONDITIONS BEFORE SETTING OUT URGE SWANSEA COASTGUARD

Swansea Coastguard is warning members of the public to check tidal conditions before setting out, after coordinating three separate incidents today, all involving people who have been cut off by the tide.

At 4.30 this afternoon, a man contacted Swansea Coastguard to report that he was concerned for the safety of two people who appeared to be cut off by the tide at Cefn Sidan Sands, near Burry Port. Burry Port RNLI  inshore lifeboat was requested to launch, the Burry Port Coastguard Rescue Team attended and a rescue helicopter was scrambled. The two people were quickly located and recovered from the water by lifeboat. One of them was taken back to the lifeboat boathouse, whilst the second person, who was in a serious condition, was airlifted to hospital.

In two other incidents, two groups of people were cut off on Mumbles Middlehead Island and Sully Island. In both cases the people had walked along a causeway to the island and had misjudged the time that it would take to get back. Mumbles RNLI lifeboat picked up three people from Mumbles Middlehead Island and Penarth RNLI inshore lifeboat picked up two people from Sully Island and were met at the shore by Penarth Coastguard Rescue Team.

David Hughes, Swansea Coastguard Watch Manager says:

“We have dealt with three incidents involving people being cut off by the tide today, one of them extremely serious. We urge members of the public to check tide times before setting out, ensuring that they always leave plenty of time to return home before the tide starts to come back in.”


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