Lifeboat crew rescues three people cut off by tide

Three people had to be rescued from marshland after being cut off by a spring tide.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) inshore lifeboat in Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, was called to an area north of Stiffkey marsh at about 18:58 BST on Sunday.

The crew said they found three casualties "waist deep in water" with a one metre (3.2ft) surge "rapidly covering the marsh".

The casualties were unharmed and required no medical assistance, the RNLI wrote on Facebook.

The post added: "The casualties were transferred by the inshore lifeboat to the marsh footbridge and into the care of the local coastguards at 19:25."

The RNLI said local coastguards had initially been called to the scene but decided it was not possible to carry out a land-based rescue.

Mandy Humphreys, Wells RNLI's water safety officer, said: "Wading through water over knee deep, especially in areas of marsh or sandbars can be incredibly hazardous as the depth of water can change very rapidly resulting in your sudden full immersion in fast flowing, cold water which is associated with a high risk of drowning.

"Help to avoid tidal cut off in this area, by getting back to dry land with no more channels or drains to cross at least four hours before Wells bar high tide time."

She said anyone cut off by an incoming tide should call 999 immediately.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.