Three more drivers trapped on Mersea causeway
12:00pm Wednesday 28th December 2011 in News
FRUSTRATED rescue crews were called to the Strood, the causeway linking Mersea to the mainland, after three more motorists got trapped on Tuesday.
The “annoying and persistent” problem of drivers trying to force their way through the salty water and getting stuck meant the West Mersea lifeboat crew, mobile coastguard and Colchester firefighters all had to respond and monitor the stranded motorists.
Nobody was hurt, but those sent to save them pleaded with the public to avoid driving through the Strood when it is not safe.
Jeremy Dumas, lifeboat operations manager, said: “We were supporting the Maldon Little Ship Club rowing race ten miles away when we were called back to Mersea with three cars on the Strood.
“It is a repetitive problem every high water spring which is infuriating and it was a bit of a trip back. I know it is frustrating waiting, but the idiots are damaging their cars. Salt water and cars do not mix.”
The high tide was at 1.46pm. Fire crews, the coastguard and the lifeboat team kept a “watching brief” on the latest motorists to be caught out.
However, Mr Dumas is one of many getting tired of the same problem. He said: “The more publicity the better, because we need to educate rather than litigate.”
Two weeks ago, a lorry, a van and a car got stranded, with reports of trapped motorists.
Two weeks prior to that, a driver had to wait on the roof of his waterlogged car.