Third vehicle submerged by sea in a week in 'baffling' trend

North Wales Live

17-06-2025

North Wales Live readers have weighed in on a recent incident where a holidaymaker's convertible VW Beetle was engulfed by the sea at a North Wales beach.
Just last week alone, two campervans ran into trouble at Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands) near Porthmadog. One narrowly escaped being overwhelmed by the rising tide, while the other wasn't as fortunate, becoming marooned as the waters rose on Friday evening, with recovery only possible on Saturday.
Another mishap occurred over the weekend when a woman, believed to be staying at a neighbouring campsite, found her white VW Beetle trapped in sand on Saturday evening. Despite seeking assistance, the car was swallowed up by the night-time tide and only resurfaced the following morning.
Local man Kevin Gibson, who has witnessed three similar incidents this week alone – and six throughout the year – responded to the distressed call from the VW owner, citing his past experience in beach vehicle recoveries.
He said: "She called to say her car was stuck in the sand and if I could help but I no longer work on recoveries so I advised her to try to get the details to contact the council which are on signs at the entrance. She said she was staying at a local campsite and didn't really know the area."
He commented: "This is the third time in a week here. I do feel sorry for the people, it is shame for them. These are often expensive vehicles so it is a lot to lose and I don't know what the situation is with insurance when this happens."
One reader Lucy1967 asks: "Are there warning signs there?" Emsiebabes81 responds: "Yes, as you drive onto the beach. Clearly not visible enough."
Gwyndaffy adds: "Yes it's called the sea. The big wet thing that approaches rapidly."
LovelyChris remarks: "It's common sense sea comes in and out why should they put signs up."
Bytchwivwings questions: "When are they going to learn to read?"
Rathers agrees: "Just what I was going to say. I have been to this lovely beach many times and stayed at the top of the beach and never had a problem."
Criccieth says: "It's not a bloody lake, it's the sea!"
Iagollewjones comments: "She didn't know the area! You do now. You don't have to be a geography professor to work out it's a flat sandy beach with tides that go in and out twice a day. Go to the lake district next year, it's not tidal. If I lived in Morfa Bychan I'd be on the hunt for an old Telehandler, make a fortune each year pulling them out, I'd even do a dance on tik tok to lure even more of them!"
Happenstonotcareatall12 sympathises: "She made a mistake why go on and on and on and on and on and on?"
Outofhere criticises: "Entitled to do what they want. No thought for people who rescue them or the potential pollution."
Joskinner wonders: "Why, why, why do people feel the need to take a vehicle on to the beach? Baffling."
Borntobemild comments: "It seems that most of the vehicles getting stuck are white. I'm not sure if this is a coincidence or if it says something about the owners of white vehicles."
Llaregub says: "What would be the stance of the insurance company in such a situation?"
Captcheese replies: "A beach isn't exactly a road, so I'd say it's a bit dubious."
ThePickledLiver chimes in with: "Even comprehensive cover usually excludes any off-road use. Then there's typically a 'reasonable care' clause, so I reckon an insurer could invoke that as well. Many years ago, a tree fell in high winds and just clipped the corner of my new-ish Dolomite. The insurer reduced the payout by 50% because the storm was forecasted and 'reasonable care' would have been me moving the car away from trees.
"I know times have changed and they're a bit more lenient these days, but I reckon the insured ignoring salty water that appears every six hours, and having passed warning signs, means they could - and should - be looking at full loss."
Rojer says: " BBC Wales should create a TV programme about this. It would be very exciting i.e. will the owner swim out and save the car in time or not?"
Kaliyuga666 writes: "I can't help but laugh at these people. Vehicles should not be allowed on beaches, end of story."