Campervan stuck in sand at popular beach swept out to sea
This is the moment a stricken campervan stuck on a UK beach was swept out to sea despite a daring rescue effort by jet skiers.
Dramatic photos captured the motorhome being engulfed by the advancing sea as waves can be seen crashing off the vehicle just off the Welsh coast.
As the Mirror reports, the vehicle became overwhelmed by the tide near Traeth y Grieggdu - Black Rock Sands - near Porthmadog, Wales last Friday. It's wheels became lodged in the sand before being lost, with eyewitnesses reporting that there was an attempt to save the campervan.
A rescue bid was led by jet skiers who were at a fundraising event by Colwyn PWC Riders. It is understood the same vehicle become stuck once already that day and was rescued with the assistance from the vehicles of the jet ski riders. However by the time of the second rescue the tide had been too fast.
People reportedly rallied around to help the rooted vehicle. A witness described around six jet skiers trying to help the owners. Attempts were made to try and two the van to safety with a pick-up truck along with a 4x4 Land Rover Defender.
One of those helping said: "We tried to move the camper a second time but it wouldn't move, the wheels didn't spin, they were stuck. We then tried a third time to retrieve the camper - attempting to drag it out with two vehicles but this time it was totally stuck.
"We were in danger of digging into the sand ourselves. Someone then called for the tractor, and the rest is history."
Phil Butler, an admin on Abersoch Appreciation Page, said he wanted to set the record straight. He said: "A few people who weren't even there, are saying, why did no one attempt to help, but some people certainly did."
He added: "Even using two towing vehicles the camper would not move, so eventually it had to be left exactly where it was stuck. The incoming tide won the battle."
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Three years ago a similar incident at the same spot at Black Rock Sands when the owners of a campervan parked on the sandy beach had to raise the alarm when their mobile home was stuck. They too were left helpless as the tide came in but remarkably their vehicle was saved.
Eyewitnesses say the beach was packed with people in April 2022 when the people inside suddenly realised the sea was creeping closer to the van. When they tried to move, the wheels spun helplessly leaving them to ask for help from those nearby.
When a 4x4 could not help, a tractor was called for to haul it from the waves lapping at its tyres. People at the scene said the people in the vehicle were shocked at what had happened.
One said: "They realised the tide was coming in and tried to move the camper but it was stuck fast. Attempts were made to pull it out before the water got to it but that didn't work. I don't know how it never floated away before the tractor arrived and succeeded in pulling it free."
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