This is the moment a van was completely submerged by the tide after it was parked on the beach by a dosy driver.
The owner of the silver Transit Custom van dumped the vehicle on the sand before abandoning it for over four hours.
But as the tide moved in on Southend seafront, Essex, the van was caught on camera disappearing beneath the surface of the waves.
Moments before the roof dipped below the water, emergency services arrived – just in time to cut a hole in the roof to make sure no-one was trapped inside.
This is the moment a van was completely submerged by the tide after it was parked on the beach by a dosy driver
Emergency services paddle out towards the van to make sure that nobody is trapped inside
Moments before the roof dipped below the water, emergency services arrived – just in time to cut a hole in the roof to make sure no-one was trapped inside
No-one was injured in the drama on Sunday afternoon, which was filmed by passer-by Mick Tanner.
Mick, 59, said: ‘When my wife and I were walking in town we came across the van on the beach, I did wonder why it had been left in such a precarious place.
‘I was sure that it would be moved as I convinced myself that no one could be that stupid.
‘We left the foreshore and headed home only stopping to pick up some supplies.
The owner of the silver Transit Custom van dumped the vehicle on the sand before abandoning it for over four hours
But as the tide moved in on Southend seafront, Essex, the van was caught on camera disappearing beneath the surface of the waves
‘While my wife was shopping I changed my mind and discussed going back to video what was happening. We eventually ended up videoing over about four hours.
‘I spoke to others there and popular opinion is that the owners offloaded a small boat into the sea at low tide then parked the van on the beach to save paying parking fees.
‘They must not have realised the tide would swamp the van that far up the beach.’
Throughout the incident, a man on a jet-ski could be seen circling the sinking van, but it’s not known if he was involved.
The van was later recovered by two passers-by, but the presumably devastated driver appeared to be no-where to be seen.
The van was later recovered by two passers-by, but the presumably devastated driver appeared to be no-where to be seen