In the early hours of this morning, HM Coastguard Southend responded to an incident involving a car stuck in sand near incoming tide. 

Once on the scene, near the west slip top of Ness Road, coastguard officers found the driver and several friends, who had been visiting Southend, near the car.

With the tide approaching and challenging weather conditions – including a wind chill of -9°c, – ensuring the safety of the occupants was the primary concern.

Emergency services, including Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, Essex Police, and East of England Ambulance Service, were also dispatched.

Paramedics assessed the driver, confirming no injuries, before the group left the scene to arrange vehicle recovery independently.

A spokesman for HM Coastguard Southend said: “Our priority in such situations is to ensure that the occupants are safe and in no danger with an incoming tide approaching and to ensure the occupants will not put themselves in any further danger to try and recover the vehicle.

“Should you see anyone in trouble on or near the coast, don’t hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the, you could save someone’s life.”