Family dispute sparks Minehead emergency call-out

The family were holidaying in Butlins

A huge emergency call-out made in response to reports of six people being in the water turned out to be a family dispute, the RNLI has said.

A helicopter, three lifeboats, ambulance, fire and police were scrambled at 23:40 GMT on Friday near Butlins in Minehead.

Minehead RNLI spokesman Chris Rundle said: "It appears one family member was actually wading knee-deep in the sea."

Rescue services were stood down after contact was made with the family.

He said confusion arose after the whole group was reported as being in difficulties by a third party.

"It was a very confused situation but clearly when there is a report of persons in the water no-one can afford to take any chances," he said.

"This actually turned out to be a very expensive response to a false alarm but the scale of the resources deployed was no more than was warranted by the situation as initially described."

After receiving the 999 call, HM Coastguard called out the Watchet and Minehead coastguard rescue teams, both Minehead lifeboats and the coastguard helicopter.

They were joined by police, ambulance and fire services.

HM Coastguard confirmed everyone was accounted for and stood down the emergency resources leaving the police to talk to the people involved.