Cops urgently warn families not to dig huge holes at the beach over risk of ‘serious injury and death’
COPS are warning beachgoers not to dig holes “deeper than the knees” due to the risk of serious injury or even death.
Police have said that while the activity might be good fun, families should be wary of digging too deep and trapping people or pets in the sand.
In a statement on Monday, cops said: “Digging on the beach is part of the fun, but large, deep holes in soft sand can be incredibly dangerous.
“A hole can collapse without warning, trapping anyone inside under heavy sand in seconds.”
They added that even “fit and healthy adults” can get buried and struggle to escape, as they advised the public to “keep holes shallow”.
The update continued: “Deep holes also pose a serious trip hazard for children, beachgoers, and emergency services responding to incidents.
“What takes minutes to dig can take seconds to turn tragic.”
Filling in holes before leaving is essential for ensuring the beach stays safe, they added.
It follows an incident at Skegness in Lincolnshire on Saturday, where a large hole ranging approximately three to four feet wide and 12 to 15 feet deep was discovered.
HM Coastguard Skegness said at the time: “Whoever dug this hole was incredibly lucky that it didn’t collapse in on them.
“Sand is surprisingly heavy and can give way without warning, especially in deep holes.”
It added: “A collapse can trap someone beneath the sand and may lead to serious injury or even death.
“Deep holes can also be a hazard to other beach users who may not see them.”
It is not the first time holidaymakers in Lincolnshire have caused mischief on the beach.
Last year, a team of three coastguards had to fill in a hole on Sandilands Beach that was over two metres deep.
Elsewhere in Cleethorpes, sunseekers at the popular seaside town were warned in April not to dig holes in the wet sand, due to the “avalanche effect”.
Coastguards deputy station manager Shaun Lee said the sand can keep “collapsing” and end up burying people.
“We don’t want to be the fun police – just be aware of what you are doing if you are digging holes,” he said.