UK Coastguard issues warning to parents over beach activity that can turn deadly
The British Coastguard has issued parents a chilling warning as temperatures across the country reach record highs.
In Greater London and south-east England, temperatures are expected to peak at around 34 degrees today (24 May), while yesterday marked the hottest May day for at least 79 years. Record-breaking regional warmth also hit around 28 degrees in Cardiff, Wales, and 24 degrees in Armagh, Northern Ireland.
Amber warnings are in place throughout most of the country until Wednesday, with UV levels also historically high.
Unlike prior heatwaves, this week's takes place across a bank holiday weekend, giving parents and their little ones an extra day to soak up the sun - an added bonus.
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Already, the extraordinary climate has driven thousands of families to the seaside in an attempt to cool off, with children seen splashing in the sea while their mums and dads catch rays on the sand.
Responding to the influx of tourists literally UK coastlines, however, health and safety authorities have issued a warning over the dangerous surrounding one long-standing beachside tradition.
According to the British Coastguard, extreme hole-digging has resulted in a rise in injuries - and even some fatalities - in recent years.
Locals have been advised not to dig holes any deeper than waist height to as to prevent passersby from falling inside and injuring themselves.
Explaining the risks, Allan Horman, a senior coastal operations officer at HM Coastguard, told Metro: "While buckets and spades are a lot of fun, most of us wouldn’t dream of digging a 5ft deep hole at a park where youngsters are running about, and people walk in the evening.
"It’s the same at busy beaches: deep holes can be hard to spot in the sand and pose the risk of someone falling in and being injured, particularly little children and older people."
There's also the possibility of collapse and suffocation from within - a fate that tragically befell a teenager in Italy last summer, whose tunnel tumbled in on top of him, leaving him with no way to escape.
A teen in West Sussex narrowly escaped death after being buried in a seven-foot hole the same month, and later told he was 'extremely lucky' to be rescued.
A 2017 study in the US also found that a staggering 31 people had died over a 10-year period as a result of a collapsed sand hole, while a further 21 required rescue. Sadly, the majority of cases involved children.
Asked for their advice to any parents with plans to accompany their kids to the seaside this week, the Coastguard urged them to monitor any holes being dug to ensure they never travel deeper than waist height.
The team also warned children and young people not to dig tunnels, as these are more prone to collapse, and to fill in any holes with sand before heading home, so as to prevent others from getting injured.
In times of trouble, it's essential to act fast and call 999, making sure to ask for the coastguard.
Rhianna Benson