Council plea after walker gets stranded in mud on Swanage beach

A WALKER who ignored warning signs and became stuck in the mud on Swanage beach was rescued this afternoon.

The walker was helped by Dorset Fire and Rescue crews and the Coastguard after getting trapped in a waterlogged area of sand and mud situated near to recent landslips.

Purbeck District Council Chief Executive Steve Mackenzie is now warning people not to risk their lives.

He said:  “We are extremely disturbed to hear that people continue to ignore the warning signs and are getting stuck in the mud near the landslip.

“It is particularly worrying that someone could take a chance at high tide or in the dark when there is no one around to see them."

He added:  “Do not ignore the warning signs, do not risk your life. 

"The signs are there for your safety.”

Heavy rain in December led to parts of the cliff becoming unstable with a number of landslips causing debris to fall onto the sea wall and beach.

Further wet weather in January made the situation worse, with significant landfalls to the north of Ocean Bay, particularly in the section between Burlington Chine and Sheps Hollow.

The ground is waterlogged, making the cliff unstable and at risk of further falls of rock and clay.

Comments(6)

SeafaringMan says...
5:48pm Fri 15 Feb 13

There's always some stupid pr4t who thinks that they know best. Warning signs do not apply to them!

Azphreal says...
6:41pm Fri 15 Feb 13

I gope they get charged for the cost of the rescue.

live-and-let-live says...
9:42pm Fri 15 Feb 13

we, the great british public have become sign blind. we see so many warning signs which generally warn us that this floor may be slippery when wet, danger of falling at the cliff edge, stop your vehicle when the light is red, etc etc. please, stop telling us how to live. leave us alone.

Yankee1 says...
10:25pm Fri 15 Feb 13

Why not give the name of this person, as he or she has used rate payers' money to be rescued.

Perhaps he or she would like to make a donation?

billd766 says...
1:30am Sat 16 Feb 13

live-and-let-live wrote:
we, the great british public have become sign blind. we see so many warning signs which generally warn us that this floor may be slippery when wet, danger of falling at the cliff edge, stop your vehicle when the light is red, etc etc. please, stop telling us how to live. leave us alone.
I agree with you 100% about leaving you alone. I would have left the person stuck in the mud, afetr all if you are smart enough to ign ore a sign that says Danger, and smart enough to get stuck in the mud, it follows that you are smart enough to get yourself out without any help.
Of course if you DO need help then you should pay for your own stupidity for ignoring the sign in the first place.

Fred and Wilma says...
10:08am Mon 18 Feb 13

billd766 wrote:
live-and-let-live wrote:
we, the great british public have become sign blind. we see so many warning signs which generally warn us that this floor may be slippery when wet, danger of falling at the cliff edge, stop your vehicle when the light is red, etc etc. please, stop telling us how to live. leave us alone.
I agree with you 100% about leaving you alone. I would have left the person stuck in the mud, afetr all if you are smart enough to ign ore a sign that says Danger, and smart enough to get stuck in the mud, it follows that you are smart enough to get yourself out without any help.
Of course if you DO need help then you should pay for your own stupidity for ignoring the sign in the first place.
could not agree more! what a waste of vital money on people to ignorant to read signs and use common sense!

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