Four people rescued from Holy Island causeway

The four people had got into the refuge box and were rescued from there

Four people had to be rescued after getting stuck in a rising tide on a causeway.

HM Coastguard received a report at approximately 16:00 BST on Monday of a stranded car on the Holy Island crossing in Northumberland.

Berwick RNLI and two coastguard teams found the car completely submerged by the tide.

The four had got into the refuge box and were taken by the RNLI to the mainland.

Kevin Knox, lifeboat operations manager for Berwick RNLI, said the team arrived at about 17:30.

It was the first time Berwick RNLI's new boat, the Penny J, had been used on a call-out

"Four casualties had made their way to the refuge box and two coastguards had waded out to assess the situation," Mr Knox said.

"Our crew assisted all of them on to our boat and then transferred them to a coastguard team on the mainland side, via a rescue sled which is used to get the casualties onto the shore without having to wade."

Berwick RNLI has recently received a new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, the Penny J, and it was the first time it had been used on a call-out.

"The crew were delighted with how she performed," Mr Knox added.