Over 100 people rescued after incoming tide leaves them stranded on Welsh beach

Dozens of people were trapped on a sandbank at Rhyl. The RNLI and coastguard provided assistance and escorted them to safety.

Tomos Evans

Wales reporter

Monday 11 September 2023 15:41, UK

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More than 100 people were rescued after an incoming tide left them trapped on a stretch of the Denbighshire coast.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), North Police and volunteers from the local coastguard helped those stranded on the sandbanks at Rhyl, as deep gullies formed behind them on the beach.

The 120 people stuck on the sandbank included 80 children and teenagers.

The rescue operation took place between 4.05pm and 5.30pm on Saturday, and footage on Rhyl RNLI's Facebook page showed people on the beach in the distance being surrounded by the incoming tide.

No one was injured and a spokesperson for HM Coastguard confirmed no medical assistance was required.

RNLI crew members took the station Land Rover on to the beach to warn people of the danger and take them to safety.

The inshore lifeboat was used to take some back to shore, while others received assistance from the RNLI.

Volunteer lifeboat crew member Kevin Taggart said 10% of all RNLI rescues in Wales are to people cut off by the tide.

While peak season is now over, 90 beaches around the UK will still have lifeguards present.

People are being encouraged to go to a beach which has lifeguards present.

"If you can, visit a lifeguarded beach, and swim between the red and yellow flags as this is the area most closely monitored by lifeguards," said RNLI water safety manager Megan Manneh.

If someone gets into difficulty in the water, the advice is to float to live.

"Tilt your head back with your ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing," Ms Manneh added.

"Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can."