Air and sea operation launched to rescue dog walkers on Northumberland beach

An air and sea rescue operation was launched amid reports that two people and a dog were trapped on a beach by incoming tides.
Two people and a dog were reported to be trapped by the rising tide at Budle Bay, Northumberland, on Saturday.Two people and a dog were reported to be trapped by the rising tide at Budle Bay, Northumberland, on Saturday.
Two people and a dog were reported to be trapped by the rising tide at Budle Bay, Northumberland, on Saturday.

A member of the public contacted the emergency services to say that the walkers and the pet were cut off at Budle Bay, near Bamburgh, at 10.53am on Saturday.

Sea conditions were so rough that Seahouse Lifeboat Station members had to take their inshore lifeboat by road to Budle Bay before launching in more sheltered conditions.

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The Coastguard had also requested helicopter support and the Seahouses all-weather lifeboat was then launched as back up.

The rescue operation was then stood down when it emerged that the walkers had reached shore safely at Ross Links, on the north side of Budle Bay.

A spokesman for Seahouses Lifeboat Station said afterwards: “ We have had a number of calls this year to Budle Bay for persons being cut off by the tide.

“We would urge people to take great care when walking across sandy bay areas like Budle Bay and Holy Island, to be aware of how quickly the tide comes in, encircling the unwary.

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“While not wanting to discourage walkers from enjoying the coastline, they do need to be aware of the speed of the rising tide.

“On this occasion, it was later ascertained that the people involved were not in immediate danger. It was possibly more of a false alarm with good intent.”