Press Notice No: 474/99
Last night Liverpool and Lytham St. Annes Coastguard were requested to help the police with no less than three incidents where people were trapped in their flooded cars due to severe weather conditions in the Blackpool area and in particular close to the sea edge along Blackpool''s promenade.
The first incident involved two people who had gone fishing and parked their car near the promenade. They were trapped in their flooded car but when help arrived had managed to escape to safety and had abandoned their car.
The second incident involved two people north of Blackpool trapped in their car who police managed to rescue by pulling them out of the sunroof.
The third incident involved a man who was trapped in his van up to his neck in flooded water.
The weather last night was gusty to gale force 8 with a high spring tide. The Liverpool Coastguard are today warning people not to park their cars too close to the sea as the wet and windy weather is set to continue.
Liverpool Coastguard Watch Manager, Paul Parkes, said:
"Liverpool Coastguard want everyone has a safe and happy holiday period, so please, if you''re planning a trip check the weather reports at home and at the your destination area. Coastal weather can be quite dramatic, but don''t put your life at risk by getting too close to the sea - even if you do need that ''seasonal cheer'' clearing away. Don''t take unnecessary risks, think about what you are doing and plan ahead."
http://www.mcagency.org.uk
