Teenagers cut off by tide at Exmouth

Group "did exactly the right thing" in calling Coastguard

Exmouth’s RNLI says a group of teenagers did exactly the right thing in calling the Coastguard when they were cut off by the tide on Monday afternoon.

The three boys and a girl were trapped by the water between Sandy Bay and Orcombe Point when the water came in around half past five. A lifeboat crew got to them within four minutes of their 999 call at 5.30pm and was back at the lifeboat station ready for service within 20 minutes.

Helm Guy Munnings said: "The teenagers did exactly the right thing and immediately called 999 for the Coastguard, instead of attempting a route up the cliffs which could have resulted in injury and a more difficult rescue for us and perhaps local coastguard teams would have needed to be tasked. We advised the casualties to check tide tables before they set off for future walks along the shore and showed them how to access information on their mobile phones."

At low tides, access to Sandy Bay from Exmouth beach is easy on foot, but Orcombe Point is cut off by high water, meaning access is only available over the cliffs. Signs at the foot of the cliffs inform people of the dangers. People in difficulty should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.