German tourists caught out by Holy Island causeway

Two German tourists had to be rescued after getting stuck in the rising tide on Holy Island causeway.

The Seahouses RNLI crew was called at 15:10 BST on Thursday to the Northumberland crossing to rescue the pair after their motorcycle was cut off.

The duo were reported to the coastguard by members of the public who said the tourists were standing in rising water and "shouting for help".

Language difficulties probably explained the tourists' predicament, the RNLI said.

After the alarm was raised, officers from Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service were able to speak to the couple and advise them to seek shelter in the causeway's refuge box, from where the visitors were rescued by the lifeboat.

Visitors to Holy Island are urged to check tide times before crossing.

It was unsafe to cross the causeway between about 14:00 and 20:30 on Thursday, Seahouses RNLI volunteer Ian Clayton said.

"The two casualties were German nationals on holiday and language was an issue which probably explained their predicament," he said, adding: "We hope their unfortunate experience didn’t impact too adversely on their visit."

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