Dramatic rescue of family from Holy Island causeway by Seahouses lifeboat crew to feature on BBC TV

The efforts of Seahouses lifeboat crew and other emergency services during the rescue feature in the BBC’s Saving Lives at Sea programme on Tuesday, November 17.

Real life rescue footage captured on their helmet cameras gives a frontline view of how the charity’s lifesavers risk their own lives as they go to the aid of those in danger at sea.

There are also emotive interviews from the volunteer lifeboat crews alongside the people they rescue and their families.

The incident happened on March 8 when a number of vehicles got trapped on the tidal causeway linking Holy Island to the Northumberland mainland.

It was later discovered that crossing time signs had been vandalised.

One vehicle contained two adults and a three-year-old child, who were starting to panic as the choppy sea was breaking over the windows and had filled the car with sea water.

They were successfully rescued.

Seahouses Lifeboat operations manager Ian Clayton said: “This was a call that required a quick response as the cars were beginning to float, and were at risk of being washed away, which could have resulted in loss of life.

"Good co-operation with our colleagues from the Coastguard, Berwick RNLI, Northumbria Police and North East Ambulance, ensured a potentially dangerous situation was safely managed with a positive outcome.”

Keith Slater, helm of Seahouses inshore lifeboat crew, who features in the forthcoming episode with crewmen Marc Pearce and James Higgins, added: “It’s great that we can showcase the lifesaving work of RNLI volunteers do in a TV programme like this.

"In recent months, the pandemic has presented us as lifesavers some added challenges, but we’ve continued to maintain a 24/7 search and rescue service. This year, due to Covid, fundraising events have been cancelled and we’ve seen a drop in our charitable income.

"Without the generous support and donations from the public, we wouldn’t be able to save lives at sea and it’s great to be able to share what we do with our supporters from the comfort of their own home. We need their support more than ever during these challenging times.”

The programme is on at 8pm and will also be on BBC iPlayer.

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