AN RNLI crew has saved two people trapped on a rapidly disappearing sandbank.

On Saturday morning, 12 August, volunteers from Criccieth’s RNLI Lifeboat Station and the coastguard helicopter were called out following reports of walkers stranded off Black Rock Sands.

It had been initially reported that five persons had been cut off by the incoming tide and the station launched both lifeboats immediately.

On arrival, a crewmember was placed on the sandbank and reported that three persons had been able to swim ashore, but that two others were unable to do so due to the distance and fast-flowing water.

Both stricken walkers were placed aboard the station’s Atlantic 85 Lifeboat before being transferred to the inshore rescue boat and taken ashore on the main beach into the care of Criccieth’s UK Coastguard team.

Following the incident, Criccieth’s lifeboat operations manager, Peter Williams said: “The two persons saved were very fortunate; the sandbank was quickly being covered by the tide. Thankfully the crew had launched and were on scene within minutes, otherwise the consequences could have been tragic. In the last 18 months we’ve saved 20 people from the sandbanks around Black Rock Sands and I urge those walking in the area to take note of tide times.”

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