A GLITCH on a surfskier’s phone led Southend Coastguard to launch a rescue mission.

Three surfskiers returned to the shore safe and well following an incident on Saturday following an alert to the Coastguard.

The coastguard received reports that one surfer could be in trouble after their RYA Safetrx app was set off. This app monitors boat journeys and calls emergency services.

A spokesman for the Coastguard: "Whilst Canvey CRT proceeded to conduct a search of their local area, Southend Coastguard split into two teams, team one visually searching from Leigh heights (due to visuals of estuary higher up the cliffs) and team two searching from the RNLI slipway next to Southend Pier. As they did so the RNLI team started to assemble in preparation to launch.

"Southend Coastguard were then able to get eyes on three surfskiers who were making their way back to shore safe and well.

"All were experienced surfskiers but a potential glitch on one of their phones had set off the Safetrx alert. They were very thankful of the emergency services turn out which proved SafeTrx works."