Mobility scooter rider and wave dodger spark emergency alert as sea crashes against Northumberland coast

A mobility scooter rider and a woman dodging waves sparked an emergency team alert following fears they were in danger from the crashing sea.

By Fiona Thompson

Published 11th May 2020, 15:36 GMT

Updated 12th May 2020, 00:06 GMT

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Amble Coastguard Rescue Team was alerted by a member of the public who had seen a mobility scooter and its rider being engulfed by the waves crashing over the seafront.

The caller had taken pictures of the incident, leading the team to say: “We can not stress how much danger that this person was in and how lucky they were to escape being washed into the sea.”

Following that search yesterday evening, Sunday, May 10, they spotted a woman who was also dodging the waves.

This is one of the photos shared by Amble Coastguard Rescue Team following the incident, where a member of the public raised concerns about the safety of a scooter rider during rough seas.

This is one of the photos shared by Amble Coastguard Rescue Team following the incident, where a member of the public raised concerns about the safety of a scooter rider during rough seas.

Geoff Barrett, station officer, added: “Team members who were carrying out a mutual aid patrol were alerted at approximately 6.45pm by a concerned member of the public after taking photographs of a person riding a mobility scooter through breaking waves on the South Pier breakwater at Amble.

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“The team, who were diverted from their patrol, arrived on scene shortly after being notified and carried out a rapid search of the immediate area, though found no sign of the person who had thankfully made it safely past the breaking waves.

“However, while the team were on scene they observed another person attempting to dodge the waves along the same section of the breakwater.

Photos shared by Amble Coastguard Rescue Team show how rough the sea was during Sunday, May 10.

Photos shared by Amble Coastguard Rescue Team show how rough the sea was during Sunday, May 10.

“A member from the team offered some safety advice.

“We urge people to show some consideration towards their own safety whilst out exercising.”

Anyone reporting someone in danger at sea or on the coast should dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

A message from the Editor:

A photo taken by a member of the public and shared by Amble Coastguard Rescue Team with permission after a scooter rider was spotted out riding through the waves of the South Pier breakwater.

A photo taken by a member of the public and shared by Amble Coastguard Rescue Team with permission after a scooter rider was spotted out riding through the waves of the South Pier breakwater.

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