Car gets stuck in the sand on Southend beach as its engulfed by overnight tides in -9C

A car was left stuck in the sand on an Essex beach with the tide coming in. The Mercedes vehicle was owned by a person visiting Southend who left it in temperatures that felt like -9C with the coastal wind in the early hours of this morning (November 22).

Southend Coastguard were called out to reports of a vehicle stuck in sand off the west slip top of Ness Road and adjacent to the HM Coastguard station at 12.29am. Once on scene they spoke to the driver and a number of his friends who were visiting Southend.

A spokesman for the coastguard said: "Our priorities 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.

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"The wind chill temperature at the time was -9c with a strong onshore wind and choppy waters approaching the vehicle. Our colleagues from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, Essex Police and the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust were also called to attend and EEAST paramedics did check the driver was ok.

"Post this, the occupant and friends then left the scene with the owner of the car to arrange recovery of 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."