Two Cardiff Metropolitan students were rescued by the coastguard after being caught unaware of rapid rising tides on Penarth’s beach.
Cardiff Met students Alex and George, had set out for a “simple trip” along the seafront of Penarth, after a 20 minute train they landed on the pebble beach.
George, a 19-year-old student from Shropshire, said that the pair’s plan was to “walk from one end down to the pier and back.”
The speed of the tide quickly turned serious when the incoming tide blocked exit routes from the beach, which meant they became trapped between the sea and high-cliff edges with no way back to safety.
The 19-year-old added: “It had started to come in completely and we knew we were getting cut off.”
Penarth Seafront via Google Maps
George explained that he and Alex thought that they would be able to “make it to the other side,” prompting the uni students to quickly make their way back down the beach, but the high cliffs trapped them from getting off.
According to the HM Coastguard, the Cardiff Met student went on to say: “We were stressing as it was getting dark, and the tide just came in so quickly.
“At times, we were having to scale the cliff face, and it wasn’t stable. We didn’t have a chance.
“If we’d have entered the water to swim for safety, there’d be nowhere we could go. I just said ‘this is it’ and dialled 999.”
After George dialled 999, rescuers were able to locate them on the remote coastline thanks to GPS signals coming from an app on George’s phone.
Neither students suffered any injuries, but Deputy Station Officer Gemma Sawyer claimed the pair were “lucky” and reminded others that Penarth has the “second highest tidal range in the world” warning others to be prepared.
Max Hawkins, Team Leader at Milford Haven Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) issued a “must-do” list for people visiting the coast:
- Check tide times before embarking on walks.
- Always carry a fully charged mobile phone.
- Look at the geography.
- Consider geolocating apps.
- Tell a friend where you’re going and when you will be back.
He added that calling 999 and asking for the coastguard is the quickest way to get help in an emergency.
Featured image via Google Maps
