In a striking display of nature’s unpredictability, a Kelly Whip ice cream van was dramatically swept out to sea by an unexpected tide at Harlyn Bay, near Padstow, Cornwall. The incident, which unfolded before a crowd of beachgoers, was captured in a series of videos that quickly circulated on social media, showcasing the van being buffeted by the waves.
Eyewitnesses at the scene, including Richard Higman who documented the ordeal, described a chaotic attempt by onlookers to save the stranded vehicle. “The driver had apparently off-loaded the ice cream, when the tide came in over the van and swamped it,” Higman recounted to Sky News. Despite the efforts of several beachgoers who rallied together with a rope, their initial rescue attempts were futile. “A load of people on the beach got a rope and tried pulling it and got nowhere,” Higman added.
The situation took a turn when the tide receded. In a testament to community spirit and rural ingenuity, a local farmer intervened with his tractor. “When the tide went out, a farmer went down with his tractor and put a rope on it and towed it up the beach,” explained Higman, highlighting the successful recovery effort.
Thankfully, the Padstow Coastguard confirmed that no injuries occurred during the incident. They reported that their crew, along with RNLI lifeguards, were dispatched to the scene around 5pm on Sunday to ensure the safety of all involved. The driver was confirmed to be safe and not inside the vehicle at the time of the incident.
The van was eventually retrieved around 9:45 pm, thanks to a recovery vehicle arranged by the owner, once the tide had receded sufficiently to allow a safe extraction. Coastguard rescue officers remained on site until the vehicle was securely recovered and in a safe location.
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This incident serves as a vivid reminder of the power of nature and the importance of community assistance in times of unexpected challenges.