Exmouth danger beach sand-digs continue

VIDEO: Deep pits' created after near-death experience

A week after a teenage boy was lucky to escape with his life from Exmouth beach, groups of young people are continuing to dig deep holes on Exmouth beach for fun, as this Radio Exe video shows.

As the early summer heat continues to attract people to the beach, particularly as the exam season gets underway and college timetables free up, 'pit-digging' appears to be the season's hottest beach activity.

On Tuesday, three deep holes were being dug on Exmouth beach, on a section opposite the town's Premier Inn.

Two were around five feet deep; a third was getting on for six feet. Once dug, the key activity was sitting or standing in the hole to have photos taken.

Among the squeals of delight, participants were heard claiming "We're going to die!" in a manner that suggested death was all part of the fun.

Last Thursday, emergency services attended to a boy who had become trapped in the sand up to his neck as an incoming tide approached. Fire crews and members of the public attempted to "dam the tide" to save him.

Ben Williams, group commander from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said the teenager had to be given air through a breathing apparatus set so he could "continue to be able to breathe". The boy was taken to hospital after being freed.

Mr Williams continues: "We would really want to highlight the risks of digging deep holes on beaches and either entering them or indeed leaving them open."

That warning hasn't been heeded.

Some years ago, a child died after being buried in the sand at Dawlish Warren, in viewing distance of the beach activities at Exmouth on Tuesday.