Coastal deaths prompt safety warning

Conditions can become dangerous quickly

Coastline walkers have been warned to check weather conditions and tides before setting out, after two deaths in Cumbria.

Rescuers searching for a missing father and son confirmed on Sunday that they had found the body of 51-year-old Stewart Rushton.

He disappeared with his nine-year-old son Adam in thick fog near Ulverston on Saturday.

Later on Sunday rescuers said they had found a second body.

Places that can seem benign and friendly on sunny days can turn into death traps very quickly

Rospa spokesman Roger Vincent

The coastguard, which has been co-ordinating the search, told BBC News Online that everyone should check conditions before leaving home for coastline walks.

Bernie Prescott, deputy district controller of Liverpool Coastguard, said walkers must beware that places such as Morecombe Bay had the potential to quickly become dangerous in poor conditions.

"There have been these sorts of tragedies since time immemorial," he said.

Although he said fatalities were rare, there was no room for complacency.

"People can get into difficulty even in good visibility.

"It is very frightening if you can't see anything and don't know where you are.

"If you don't have a reference point to say where you are, all we can do is send a search team out," he said.

'Treacherous tides'

A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) reiterated the coastguards' warning.

Beach safety

Check the weather and tides before you leave home

Check the beach and beware of rocks and breakwaters

Look out for warning signs and danger flags

Avoid rip tides and strong under surface currents

Source: Coastal and Maritime Agency

Roger Vincent said: "Places that can seem benign and friendly on sunny days can turn into death traps very quickly when weather conditions change.

"This is particularly true on hills and mountains but also on coastal walks.

"There are areas where there are treacherous tides".

"If you are walking on sand in an area that you are unfamiliar with and mists come down it's very easy to become disorientated.

"People get caught out by tides.

"Even in the height of summer you need to check the tides and conditions".

He advised holidaymakers to make the most of the local knowledge of their landlady or hotelier and ask for advice on conditions.