Coastguard warns to call 999 instead of posting on Facebook after people cut off by tide at Robin Hood’s Bay
Whitby Coastguard has warned visitors to Robin Hood’s Bay to call 999 if they spot people cut off by the tide - instead of posting on social media.
The coastguard issued warnings to beachgoers about tide dangers, alongside alerting that social media is not the way to report these issues.
In a post to Facebook, the coastguard said time matters when an accident occurs.
If people have concerns about what they see on the beach, they should call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
This came after an incident was posted to social media instead of the coastguard being alerted in the first instance.
Whitby Coastguard said: “Not every situation looks “life-threatening” at first… but that can change in seconds.”
If the coastguard is contacted directly as soon as an incident occurs, it can make plans and arrive before the situation escalates, the service said.
The Coastguard said: “We would always rather be called early and stood down, than called too late.
“Waiting, watching, or posting online can delay the help that may be needed.”
One Facebook commenter said: “I got cut off by the tide when I was 15 at Flamborough. It's no joke and really scary when the tide sneaks through the caves behind you, cutting you off with no warning.”
“Thankfully I was tall enough to wade through it thigh deep with my small friend on my back.
“Time is of the essence and cannot mess around in situations like this. There have already been too many deaths on the east coast this year.”