Walker and Two Dogs Rescued After Being Cut Off by Fast-Rising Tide at West Wittering Beach

A walker and two dogs were rescued after becoming cut off by the incoming tide on a sand bar at West Wittering Beach. Volunteers from HM Coastguard’s Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team were paged to the incident during Callout 22/2026 after reports that a casualty had been stranded by rapidly rising water. Two RNLI lifeboats were […]

A walker and two dogs were rescued after becoming cut off by the incoming tide on a sand bar at West Wittering Beach.

Volunteers from HM Coastguard’s Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team were paged to the incident during Callout 22/2026 after reports that a casualty had been stranded by rapidly rising water.

Two RNLI lifeboats were tasked to the scene, including the Hayling Island RNLI Lifeboat Station inshore lifeboat and the Selsey RNLI Lifeboat Station inshore lifeboat, which was already out on the water carrying out training at the time.

The lifeboat from Hayling Island arrived first and safely transferred the casualty and their two dogs onboard before bringing them back to shore.

Once ashore, the individual was handed over to the Coastguard team. Although cold after attempting to make their own way back to land through the rising tide, they were reported to be otherwise unharmed.

Staff from the West Wittering Estate assisted by taking the casualty to a nearby café to warm up with a drink.

Coastguard teams are now reminding visitors that the sand bars at West Wittering can stretch far out to sea at low tide, but the tide can return extremely quickly.

Strong currents can make it dangerous or impossible to return safely once the tide begins to rise.

Safety advice from the Coastguard includes checking tide times before heading out, regularly looking back to ensure a safe route to shore remains open, and carrying a mobile phone in case help is needed.

Anyone who becomes cut off or sees someone in danger on the coast should dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.