Parents were on hand to help save a boy’s life over the weekend by scoping sand away from his mouth and nose at Anderby Creek in Lincolnshire.
A 14 year old boy was lucky not to have been buried alive when a hole he was digging on a Lincolnshire beach collapsed.
The teenage boy was reportedly digging at the beach at Anderby Creek on Saturday 8th April when the sand beneath him collapsed, leaving him trapped up to his neck.
His parents helped to save him by scooping the sand away from his mouth and nose, before coastguard rescue teams from Skegness and Mablethorpe arrived. East Midlands ambulance service, police and fire crews also attended the scene.
It reportedly took an hour for the boy to be rescued before he was examined by the ambulance crew.
Fran Wilkins, a HM Coastguard senior coastal operations officer, said the incident probably happened as a result of the sand being disturbed.
She said: “What happens as you disturb the sand, there’s a high likelihood of it collapsing back in, and the priority was to make sure at all times that his airway was protected and his head remained above the sand.
“It needed lots of people in a coordinated effort to remove the sand in a way that we could get him out of the hole as quickly and as safely as possible.
“Luckily, he did remain calm throughout, which definitely helped reduce the panic and allowed everyone to get to work and do their job.”
She commended the boy’s parents for keeping the sand out of his mouth and calling for help.
‘There’s that instinct to keep trying to dig, but the more you disturb and weaken that sand that has collapsed in, you’re potentially going to create a much bigger hole,” she said.
“They kept his head clear and his mouth and nose free so he could breathe and waited for more help, which was really, really important for him.”
Wilkins advised beachgoers to consider the size and location when digging a hole and to be mindful that “the larger it is, the higher the chances it may collapse”.
Lucy Hicks, a senior maritime operations officer for HM Coastguard, said: “The teenager was extremely lucky; if the tide had been coming in or the hole was just a little bit larger, there could have been a very different outcome today.
“Sand, by nature, is notoriously unstable once you disturb it. We’re not telling people they shouldn’t build sandcastles or dig holes … We love the beach and want people to enjoy their time when visiting, but you have to think, if it took you two hours to dig a hole, that’s how long it can take for someone to dig you out.”
Andy Halliday is a passionate outdoor enthusiast and an avid camper. He has been exploring the wilderness and camping in the great outdoors for over two decades, and his experiences have inspired him to write about the joys of camping and the beauty of nature.
As a camping enthusiast, he believes that spending time in the wilderness is not just a way to escape the daily grind, but also a way to connect with nature and gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Andy has camped in various locations across the country and on two different continents. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with fellow campers.
Through his writing, he hopes to inspire you to venture out into the wilderness and experience the beauty and serenity of camping. Andy articles and guides provide useful tips, advice, and insights on everything from selecting the right gear and equipment to finding the best campsites and hiking trails.
