Two rescued from submerged road

Holy Island causeway has been the scene of numerous rescues

Two people have been rescued after taking a wrong turning and driving into the sea off Northumberland.

The couple, in their 60s, had been heading up the A1 towards Haggerston Castle holiday park when they mistakenly turned off at Holy Island.

They tried to cross the causeway, which floods at high tide, but were forced to abandon their car in chest-deep water.

Seahouses inshore lifeboat rescued the pair, from Yorkshire, who had waded to the causeway's stilted refuge box.

Crossing times

Their son, who had been waiting for them at Haggerston Castle, was also rescued after driving to the scene and wading out to meet them.

No-one was hurt during the incident early on Sunday, and the family quickly left the scene, according to a Seahouses Lifeboat spokesman.

The couple's car was awaiting recovery from the sea on Monday morning, he added.

The incident is the latest in a string of causeway rescues, usually involving visitors unaware of the dangers of the tidal causeway.

Prominent warnings and signs displaying the safe crossing times are in place at either end of the road.

The inshore lifeboat is manned by volunteers and each call-out costs the RNLI approximately £1,500.