A family had a lucky escape after their minibus was swept into the sea on the beach in Criccieth.

On Sunday, 30 June, Criccieth coastguard were called out at approximately 5.50pm after a family’s vehicle – described as a minibus – was stranded on the beach. The family had been inside the bus as it was swept up by the sea.

Passengers in the vehicle had managed to get out before the coastguard arrived at the scene, but the incoming tide engulfed the minibus.

Criccieth coastguard pointed out that the problem would have been solved sooner had the family involved called the emergency services immediately.

A local farmer helped the family retrieve their vehicle later that evening, but Criccieth coastguard pointed out that the vehicle could have been saved sooner had they alerted the authorities immediately.

A spokesperson for the coastguard said: “We later found out that they didn’t call 999 straight away, if they had we would have got there much sooner and possibly been able to save their vehicle from the incoming tide with the help of a local farmer.”

The family had to take shelter in a nearby lodge at 7.30pm and wait for the tide to turn. The farmer returned by 9.30pm to help retrieve the vehicle, but since there was no longer any life at risk, the coastguard did not return.

The coastguard urged people to act on emergency issues on the beach or coast straight away, saying: “If you see an emergency along the coast, call 999 immediately and ask for Coastguard.”