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Sep 03, 2023

Beachgoers warned not to dig deep holes after teenager trapped in sand nearly drowns in Devon

Coastguard, fire, police and ambulance crews were called to help rescue a

Coastguard, fire, police and ambulance crews were called to help rescue a teenager in Exmouth on Thursday.

Friday 2 June 2023 11:06, UK

Emergency services are warning people not to dig deep holes at the beach after a teenager nearly drowned trapped inside of one.

Coastguard, fire, police and ambulance crews were called to Exmouth beach in Devon just after 5pm on Thursday to reports of a "man trapped in sand with an incoming tide", Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said.

Drew Parkinson, coastguard area commander for south Devon and southeast Cornwall, wrote on Twitter: "HUGE emergency services response this evening to someone trapped in sand at Exmouth Beach.

"Dozens of members of the public and emergency services worked tirelessly to save the person from drowning as tide came in."

Exmouth Fire Station said the teenager was taken to hospital and thanked a "retired fire officer who happened to be passing and made some life-saving decisions".

They warned: "Don't dig and enter deep holes on the beaches please. This incident was made even more severe by the rising tide and quicksand effect of the sand and water."

Previously the fire service posted: "Sand is heavier than you think. You could be crushed or suffocated.

"Sadly, we have been to many incidents in the past involving large holes and trenches which have quickly turned from a casualty rescue to a body recovery job."

It came on the same day as a 15-year-old girl's body was recovered from a reservoir in Merseyside.

The girl had got into difficulty swimming with friends at Carr Mill Dam in St Helens, police said. Her death is not being treated as suspicious.

A 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy also died on Wednesday off Bournemouth beach. A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.