Sand hole exercise reveals hidden beach danger

Teams came together at Lowestoft from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard and the RNLI 

The hidden dangers of deep sand holes were at the centre of a multi-agency exercise on a Suffolk beach. 

Sandcastles, buckets and spades are among the joys of a trip to the seaside – but some excavations can pose a real risk to visitors, particularly small children. 

The emergency response practice near Claremont Pier in Lowestoft involved the town’s Coastguard Rescue Team, RNLI lifeguards, and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. 

They came together to rehearse the communication, steps and techniques required for locating and rescuing someone trapped under sand, quickly and safely. 

Christon Iliffe, Senior Coastal Operations Officer, said: “Buckets and spades, digging holes and playing in the sand are all part of the fun at the beach – and long may it continue. 

“But there are hidden risks of serious injury from falls when deep gaps are left unfilled, often where children are running around.  

“Sand is also unstable and can suddenly collapse on top of you if you’re digging a hole, tunnel or piling it up beside you. It can cause crushing or suffocation. 

“Our exercise at Lowestoft was a valuable opportunity to collaborate with partner agencies and to remind the public of the dangers and simple ways to stay safe.” 

Christon offered some simple advice to people playing in the sand: 

  • avoid digging tunnels or holes deeper than waist height; 
  • fill in holes before you leave the beach to prevent injuries to others; 
  • if you’re in trouble by the coast, call 999 and ask for Coastguard 

Sand rescues must be carried out gently to avoid adding pressure around the trapped casualty and ensure they can breathe.   

A first line of rescuers sweeps back the sand by using their hands to avoid further injury to the person trapped. 

They are backed up by a second and third line moving the excavated material further away using whatever they can: buckets, spades and frisbees. This is to prevent the sand collapsing back into the hole. 

In June, an eight-foot hole reported to Padstow Coastguard Rescue Team was filled in at Tregirls Beach in Cornwall with the help of farm machinery. 

And last year a father urged people to take care digging on the beach after his 14-year-old son became trapped when a pile of excavated sand collapsed on top of him at Anderby Creek, Lincolnshire, in June 2023. 


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