Family rescued from submerged car on causeway

The family had attempted to cross the high tide and had become submerged in water, the coastguard said

A family had to be rescued after their car became submerged in water on a causeway during high tide.

The vehicle was reported as stranded on the Holy Island crossing in Northumberland, at about 14:35 BST on Thursday, Berwick Coastguard said.

Rescue teams found three children seeking refuge on the roof of the car, while two adults were perched on door frames as water began to come over the car bonnet.

All five were brought back to the mainland and treated by paramedics, where they were later discharged, the North East Ambulance Service said.

Holy Island sits a mile off the mainland in the North Sea, and is cut off twice a day by incoming tides.

The rescue team said the vehicle could have been swept from the causeway.

"Holy Island causeway is only safe to cross during published safe crossing times," it warned on its Facebook page.

"Attempting to cross outside these windows is extremely dangerous.

"The tide comes in quickly and can cut off the causeway in minutes, turning a drive into a life-threatening emergency."

It urged people to always check the safe crossing times before travelling.