Happisburgh RNLI lifeboat saves two people cut off by tide

The Happisburgh crew launched their D-class lifeboat at 5.40pm on Wednesday to rescue the dog walkers who had been cut off by the tide. 

Volunteer crew members Chris Risby, Pete Walker, Tom Hunn and Ellis Speirs made their way to Town Gap in Happisburgh where they found the group trapped behind granite boulders and surrounded by deep water.

The crew after the rescue (Image: RNLI/Philip Smith)

Helm Chris Risby said: "The location of the casualties was in the worst possible location for access.

"We had the granite boulders and the old sharp sea defences blocking access."

Two crew members were put on the beach to try and reach the casualties but due to the deep water, they could not get to them without putting the people in danger.

They were eventually able to manoeuvre the boat through a small gap in the boulders to pick up the two crew members and reach the stranded dog walkers, returning to the lifeboat station at 6.40pm.

The sea defences at Happisburgh Beach (Image: Antony Kelly)Mr Risby added: "With the rising tide and the casualties surrounded by deep water, the crew used maximum concentration and dedication to use the swell to effectively get round the obstacles, through a gap barely wide enough for the D-class, to reach them.

"Once on the boat and back out at sea, the casualties were in good spirits including their pet dog and were thankful to all involved."

A spokesman for Happisburgh Water Safety Team added: 'When walking on the beach, always be aware of what the tide is doing, keep away from the cliff edge and base and do not go behind rocks if the sea is up to the front of them.

"The water will pass through the rocks and leave very deep and dangerous water which you are unlikely to get through.

"Always have some means of calling for help by dialling 999 asking for the coastguard."