TWO teenagers have described the frightening moment they realised they were stranded out at sea near Southend Pier.
Terry Anderson, 18, who cannot swim, and Jordan Hasler, 16, got stuck after walking out almost a mile to the low water mark last Thursday.
They had to be rescued by RNLI crews after they were caught out by the speed of the incoming tide.
Terry, a warehouse worker, of Malgrave Place, Pitsea, had to be checked over by paramedics, who feared he may be suffering from hypothermia.
He said: "I was pretty scared, in fairness, because I can't swim. The water was getting really high and it was freezing. Looking back, it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do.
"We called 999 to try and get someone to pick us up, but no one came. After about 15 minutes some bloke was walking along the pier and he saw us. He shouted over the megaphone that we needed to come in.
"When we told him that we were stuck, he went and got one of the lifeboats from the end of the pier to come and pick us up.
"It was pretty lucky that he saw us, because if he hadn't I don't know what would have happened."
Jordan, a pupil at the Bromfords School, Wickford, said he was also worried, but for a rather different reason.
He said: "I know it's stupid, but all I kept thinking about was my phone and hoping that it wouldn't get ruined.
"It was pretty scary and I'm just glad the lifeboat got to us when they did because the water was getting quite high."
When the two teenagers realised the water was getting high, they stood on a pile of rocks to try and stay out the water.
Lifeboat crews have warned people not to walk out on the long beaches as the warmer spring weather approaches.
Den Freeman, from the RNLI, said: "It does become a problem, with the beaches getting busier. People like walking out, going to meet the tide. It's particularly a problem at the Mulberry Harbour.
"Parents need to know where their kids are because it's their responsibility and it's worthwhile checking the tides if you're going to walk out."
l The Echo publishes high tide times for Southend each day on page 4.
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