Family rescued from rising tide at Brancaster, before lifeboat crew then help tackle barbecue fire

A lifeboat crew saved a family trapped on a sand bar by the rising tide on Friday - and then assisted firefighters tackling a blaze in the same vicinity.

RNLI Wells lifeboat crew were called out at 3.47pm to rescue the family on Scolt Head Island, off Brancaster.

The lifeboat was carried by tractor and trailer to the low water launch location in Holkham Bay at 4.14pm, arriving at the island 24 minutes later.

The two adults and child were uninjured and quickly brought into the lifeboat. They were taken to the other side of Brancaster channel where they were put safely ashore.

At 4.40pm, the D-class lifeboat was called to a fire in the same area caused by a disposable barbecue. The crew remained on scene to ensure the safety of the fire personnel, who were being transported by private boats from Brancaster to Scolt Head Island.

At 7.15pm, with the fire distinguished and fire service personnel safely ashore at Brancaster Head, the inshore lifeboat was stood down and returned to the lifeboat house.

Deputy launching authority Greg Hewitt said: "Both incidents could have been avoided. Knowing the tide times is essential when out on our coastline.

"People need to be back on the mainland four hours before high tide otherwise there is a severe danger of being cut off as this family were.

"Fortunately, the Coastguard was contacted, and we were able to reach them in good time."