by John Prince
The power and unpredictability of the North Sea came close to claiming the lives of a pensioner and her dogs this week, were it not for the swift actions of volunteers from Hornsea Inshore Rescue.
The incident unfolded on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 3, as the woman was walking her four dogs along Mappleton beach, when a routine afternoon stroll turned into an emergency call-out for rescue crews.
Yvonne Cranston, 75, who was on holiday from Bishop Auckland in County Durham, had walked from Wood Lake caravan park near Great Hatfield to the beach.
Around 3.30pm, despite double-checking tide times beforehand, she found herself and her three border collies and cocker spaniel cut off, with the waves rapidly progressing towards the cliffs.
As the situation got worse and the tide was coming in, Yvonne realised she could not make it back in time to the ramp where she had walked down to the beach, and called the Coastguard.
Crews from Bridlington, Hornsea and Withernsea were scrambled and alerted Hornsea Inshore Rescue, who launched their lifeboat immediately and arrived on the scene just 10 minutes later.
When they arrived, they found Yvonne and her pets up against the cliff and standing on a rock surrounded by the incoming sea.
A daring manoeuvre by the boat’s pilot saw him steer the lifeboat in towards the cliff, with its bow pushed in as close as possible to allow Yvonne and the animals to get onboard.
Shaken and soaked, Yvonne and her pets were taken safely back to Hornsea in the lifeboat to dry off and get checked.
The incident came just over two months after the tragic deaths of Sarah and Grace Keeling and Mark Ratcliffe a few miles down the coast at Withernsea.
Yvonne said: “It was a nice day so we walked along the beach, and it turned out to be the worst decision.
“There were all these coves, so I kept on walking then turned around and saw the sea coming in. I was about halfway along and we got cut off.
“I stood for a while to see if the tide would turn but it was getting worse. The water was coming in really quickly and was already up to my knees. So I called the Coastguard.
“The Inshore Rescue were there in 10 minutes. They were amazing. They got all four dogs into the boat, then me. They were brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
“I had to go into the sea to help with the dogs, but you don’t think about it in that situation. The water was nearly up to the tops of my legs.
“The boat had come right up to the cliff. Two of them got out to help me and the dogs. They put a life jacket on me and made sure the dogs were settled. They were fabulous.
“The dogs were terrified. I had my little spaniel trying to climb on top of my rucksack, she was that scared. They were all shivering so they were very cold as well, but they were no bother.”
Yvonne had climbed on to the rock with her dogs and, at one point, said she could only see water and the cliffs behind her, as the beach was completely covered by the sea.
She added: “It really started coming in. The high tide was right up to the cliff side. It was then that the lifeboat came. All I could see was sea that was lapping on to this rock. I felt like a mermaid surrounded by four dogs.
“I was a bit embarrassed to be in that situation, but it was scary. I wasn’t panicking at first, but then I really started getting scared. By the time I phoned for help, I just wanted to see a boat because if it had been any longer, it could have been much, much worse.
“The sea comes in so quick. If it had been a straight beach, I would have got back in time, but with the coves where they come out, I couldn’t get past them.
“If they hadn’t turned up in time, I don’t know what would have happened as I was starting to feel really cold. I was getting worried about hypothermia so I’m glad they came when they did. That part of the beach was in shade, and it was very cold but I’ve survived.
“When we were on the boat it was off at a real rate. It was one way of getting back to the campsite. The crew got us into a lovely warm room, where they started drying the dogs off and made me a cup of tea. The dogs were quite happy lying there and being made a fuss out of.
“All I’d say is that if anyone finds themselves in the same situation then don’t panic, and phone for help. I’d checked the tides and I obviously got them the wrong way round. I thought they were going out, but they obviously were coming in.
“I can’t thank the lifeboat people enough. They even brought me and four very wet and sandy dogs back to the campsite. I’m going to donate as I know they’re a charity. Without them I might not be here now.”
Yvonne and her dogs, Dan and Eva, who are both 13, Mirk who is 11, and little Tilly, three, are doing well after their ordeal.
Even though Yvonne was in good spirits following her dramatic rescue, she said the experience highlighted some of the risks of being on the beach at high tide.
It also showcases the tireless work that the lifeboat crew does week in, week out to save lives along our coast.
For more information and to donate to Hornsea Inshore Rescue, go to hornsearescue.org.uk.