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Tow truck worker dies from a heart attack as he battles to rescue a Mercedes stranded in mud on a beach (UK)


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  • A recovery worker died from a heart attack on a rescue in Somerset on Saturday
  • A couple rented a Mercedes but needed help when the car got wedged in mud
  • Coastguard and recovery service went to recover the car as the tide moved in 
  • But a medical emergency unfolded as the man collapsed with a heart attack 
 

A man died of a heart attack as he tried to rescue a Mercedes from a beach.

The member of the rescue team was trying to move a hire (rental) car wedged in mud.

The vehicle had been rented by a couple and become stranded at Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset.

A Coastguard team and a local commercial vehicle recovery service were called out to recover the Mercedes on Saturday as the tide moved in.

But coastguards say that 'a medical emergency unfolded in front of us' - as a man from the vehicle recovery service collapsed with a suspected heart attack.

Despite quick action from three ambulance vehicles and an air ambulance, as well as an off-duty nurse, the man did not recover.

Crews from Burnham Coastguard, Burnham Area Rescue Boat (BARB), and the vehicle recovery service were initially called to Brean beach in Somerset at 2pm on Saturday.

The stricken couple in the Mercedes had got stuck in mud a fair way out on the beach, as the tide moved in fast and a thunderstorm rolled in over Somerset.

The couple were found to be in no danger and were very apologetic.

A spokesman for Burnham Coastguard said they, along with paramedics and an off-duty nurse, attempted to revive the man who suffered a heart attack, but were unsuccessful.

The spokesman said: 'A person had collapsed with a suspected heart attack. The team mobilised quickly to the person and initiated CPR.

Defibs were deployed from nearby including the Brean Beach wardens and from the National Trust Cafe.

'These were used along with chest compressions. An Ambulance First Responder arrived on scene and administered oxygen.

'Not long after the responder's arrival an ambulance and the Air Ambulance also arrived on scene.

'Despite the huge effort from everyone, including the off-duty nurse, an off-duty responder who stepped in, and the great work by the Brean Beach Wardens, the person didn't recover.

'Our thoughts are with family and all concerned. It's been a long, quite tough weekend for the team but as always we are here to help those who need it along the coast.'

The Mercedes hire car was recovered from the beach on Sunday, after the BARB team decided they could not beat the tide in retrieving the car safely.

 

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This is a tragic incident ....

I am not sure who passed away yet ....but that area around Burnham is notorious  for vehicles getting stuck on the beach with numerous hidden soft sand pools and very fast incoming tides.....

The local  towing companies are very experienced and well equipped to deal with these incidents ....

 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family , friends and  co workers ....

 

John.

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