Tourist trapped in beach net

Bexhill coastguards were called out to help a German tourist who had become tangled in some nets on the beach.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Apr 2009, 11:05 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:14 BST

The incident happened at Sackville Point early on Bank Holiday Monday morning but on arrival Deputy Station Officer Gary Tidman and Coastguard Rescue Officer Steven Bradley found that the trapped person had managed to get free despite having fallen in the water.

"The nets appear to be of a commercial type known as 'set nets' on account of the way they're laid out and secured each end by an anchor, " commented Gary Tidman.

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He added: "The laying of nets so close to where members of the public walk, sometimes with their dogs is extremely dangerous and irresponsible - and is in contravention of local by-laws for this very reason.

"The nets are constructed of a very fine and strong mono-filament nylon...getting entangled in them can be a very frightening experience, often the more you struggle the tighter the entanglement can become, it can also result in some nasty injuries."

The nets were recovered immediately by Steve Benn and Alex Hall of Rother District Council Beach Control Office.

If you find nets on the beach that you suspect maybe a hazard to people or their pets, you can contact the Coastal Control Office on (01424) 787924. If you become entangled by nets on the beach, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Related topics:Bexhill