Stranded walkers rescued from rough sea

Rescuers helped four people to safety after they were cut off by the high tide on a beach.

The Lyme Regis Coastguard Team and RNLI Lyme Regis were called to the site east of Lyme Regis, Dorset, between East Beach and Charmouth, shortly before midday.

The RNLI said the sea was "in a rough state" and "every minute counted" in the subsequent rescue.

Crew members helped the stranded walkers one at a time through the waves to the eastern sea wall as the lifeboat could not be used because of the strong wind and rough sea conditions.

Tom Crabbe, a lifeboat volunteer who went ashore to assist, said: "This was another great example of how we work closely with our local coastguard team.

"From the lifeboat, we were able to spot the casualties in a location which may not have been visible from the sea wall.

"We needed to get them off the beach quickly as the tide was still rising. As it was, they needed to wade through over a metre (3.2ft) of water."

A Lyme Regis Coastguard spokesperson said: "With waves crashing, and the bottom of the sea wall and the steps already submerged in 4ft (1.2m) of water, the four individuals couldn't just wait for the tide to turn.

"With help from an RNLI crew member who managed to get ashore, three of our coastguard rescue officers made their way along the coastline, delivering lifejackets to the group.

"A fourth coastguard officer, equipped with a full dry suit and water rescue gear, was waiting at the sea wall end of the beach.

"Under the careful supervision of the coastguard and RNLI crew, the four individuals were taken one at a time through the waves and up the steps to safety."

A spokesman for the Lyme Regis RNLI water safety team advised people to be mindful of traversing the area.

"There are numerous places, both to the east and west of Lyme Regis, where it possible to become cut off by the tide," he said.

"Rough weather increases the risk."

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