A careless driver caused a panic after falling asleep on the Holy Island causeway, oblivious to the rising tide.A careless driver caused a panic after falling asleep on the Holy Island causeway, oblivious to the rising tide. When concerned citizens reported the incident, emergency services rushed to the scene, including the Seahouses lifeboat and coastguard teams. However, the driver had managed to move his SUV to a higher area before their arrival. Despite the initial concern, the driver’s quick thinking prevented a potentially dangerous situation. Ian Clayton, spokesman for the local rescue service, emphasized the importance of being alert while driving and carefully choosing rest stops. The incident serves as a reminder to motorists traveling to Holy Island to be aware of the tide times. Crossings are closed during specific periods to prevent vehicles from being trapped by the rapidly rising water. This is not the first time that motorists have found themselves in distress on the causeway. Earlier this year, two German tourists were stranded in chest-high water due to a language barrier that prevented them from understanding the safe crossing times. The pair and their dog were later rescued from the roof of their partially submerged car. To avoid similar incidents, travelers to Holy Island are strongly advised to plan ahead and check tide times carefully.
Author: Ally McGilvrayPublished 7 minutes ago
A dumb driver called emergency services after falling asleep on the Holy Island causeway, unaware of the rising water.
The Seahouses lifeboat rushed to the beautiful Northumberland spot, along with teams from the local coastguard, but there were fears the man’s vehicle would be washed away while he was trapped.
Multiple 999 calls were made as the dramatic scenes unfolded shortly before 6pm last night (Friday), more than an hour after the last safe crossing time.
However, when they arrived at the scene, they saw that the driver of the SUV had managed to move his vehicle to a higher area.
The “unusual” report has prompted renewed warnings to motorists travelling to the area.
Ian Clayton, spokesman for the local rescue service, said: “The rapidly rising tide initially caused concern for rescue services but the driver was able to save himself.
“If you get tired while driving and want to rest for a while, be careful where you stop and park.
“Fortunately, the driver woke up and realized what was happening. He was able to quickly move his vehicle to higher ground.
“In the meantime, concerned citizens had rightly called 999 several times to report the incident.”
High tide at Holy Island was at 6.51pm on Friday and the Causeway was closed due to the tide from 4.25pm to 10.20pm.
Ian added: “No further assistance was required and the lifeboat returned to station.”
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It is the latest in a series of calls for the connecting road this year.
In May we reported that two German tourists were left screaming for help after being stranded up to their chests in water on the road that connects the beautiful Northumberland spot to the mainland.
The language barrier meant they couldn’t read the safe crossing times.
The pair managed to get to safety at the shelter’s hut, where they waited for rescue. They later found their bike, which had been washed away.
The next day, two people and their dog were found on the roof of their partially submerged car.
Coastguard teams from Berwick and Holy Island rushed to the scene, along with lifeboats from Berwick and Seahouses and a coastguard helicopter.
Anyone travelling to the Holy Island is urged to plan ahead and check tide times.
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