Two people and a dog rescued after their camper van was swept away by the tide at Holy Island

Two people and a dog have been rescued after their camper van became cut off by the tide at Holy Island.

The couple and their pet had attempted to cross the road despite posted safe crossing times and warning signs, less than an hour after high tide, on the famous route on Tuesday afternoon (July 2). At 1.15pm, Her Majesty’s Coastguard called Seahouses RNLI, and volunteers launched the inshore lifeboat.

A shore-based Coastguard rescue team had meanwhile arrived at the causeway and were able to bring the group to safety. The RNLI inshore lifeboat was cancelled and returned to the station.

It was dangerous to cross the Holy Island causeway today from 10.25am to 3.10pm, with high tide at 12.25pm. Dozens of cars are stuck every year on the mile-long stretch of road, which runs from Holy Island to Beal on the Northumberland mainland, eventually joining the A1.

Ian Clayton, of Seahouses RNLI, said: “Can we once again ask visitors to the island to please respect safe crossing times.”

In May, two rescues were carried out on consecutive days, with four rescues in five days, prompting the coastguard to remind people that they cannot “go beyond the sea”.

Motorists can check crossing times online by visiting holyislandcrossingtimes.northumberland.gov.uk. Visitors are advised to allow half an hour extra for their journey at these times to allow for bad weather or unusually high tides.