
Holidaymaker's convertible VW Beetle submerged by sea at North Wales beach
A holidaymaker's convertible VW has become the latest victim at a North Wales beach. This week two campervans have got into trouble at Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands) near Porthmadog.
One was rescued at the last minute after being partly swamped by the incoming tide. The other was not so lucky and remained stuck in place as the tide came in on Friday evening. It was finally recovered on Saturday.
Last night saw another person caught out. A women - who it is understood was staying at a nearby campsite - got her white VW Beetle stuck in sand on Saturday evening.
She was unable to get help in time and the car was submerged by the sea last night as the tide came in. It reappeared this morning and was in the process of getting recovered.
Local resident Kevin Gibson said this was the third incident this week and he thinks the sixth of the year. He received a call from the woman with the VW last night as he used to do vehicle recoveries on the beach.
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.
"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."
The vast sandy beach at Morfa Bychan, near Porthmadog, is one of the few in North Wales onto which cars can drive.
It's a TikTok favourite, often proclaimed 'one of the best beaches in Wales'.

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Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
Tourist's car becomes latest vehicle to fall victim to notorious Welsh beach
Tourist's car becomes latest vehicle to fall victim to notorious Welsh beach It is the third incident in the space of just a week at the famous beach VW Beetle stuck at Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands) (Image: Kevin Gibson ) A holidaymaker's convertible VW has become the latest casualty at a North Wales beach. Two campervans had already faced trouble earlier this week at Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands) near Porthmadog. One campervan was saved from the clutches of the incoming tide just in time, while the other wasn't as fortunate, getting stranded as the tide rolled in on Friday evening. The vehicle was eventually retrieved on Saturday. The latest incident occurred last night when a woman, believed to be staying at a nearby campsite, found her white VW Beetle trapped in the sand on Saturday evening. Despite her efforts to seek assistance, the car was engulfed by the sea overnight as the tide surged in. It resurfaced this morning and was in the midst of being salvaged, reports North Wales Live. VW Beetle stuck at Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands) (Image: Kevin Gibson ) Local Kevin Gibson, who has witnessed three such incidents this week alone and counts them as the sixth for the year, received a call from the distressed owner of the VW last night. Article continues below Having previously conducted vehicle recoveries on the beach, 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. VW Beetle stuck at Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands) (Image: Kevin Gibson ) "She said she was staying at a local campsite and didn't really know the area. "It's 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." Recovery of a VW Beetle that was stuck at Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands) (Image: Kevin Gibson ) Located near Porthmadog, the expansive sandy beach at Morfa Bychan is a rare gem in North Wales, allowing cars to access its shores. A social media sensation, especially on TikTok, it's often touted as "one of the best beaches in Wales". Despite authorities' frequent warnings about the perils of soft sand and rapidly shifting tides, the cautionary messages frequently get overlooked. Article continues below


North Wales Live
8 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Holidaymaker's convertible VW Beetle submerged by sea at North Wales beach
A holidaymaker's convertible VW has become the latest victim at a North Wales beach. This week two campervans have got into trouble at Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands) near Porthmadog. One was rescued at the last minute after being partly swamped by the incoming tide. The other was not so lucky and remained stuck in place as the tide came in on Friday evening. It was finally recovered on Saturday. Last night saw another person caught out. A women - who it is understood was staying at a nearby campsite - got her white VW Beetle stuck in sand on Saturday evening. She was unable to get help in time and the car was submerged by the sea last night as the tide came in. It reappeared this morning and was in the process of getting recovered. Local resident Kevin Gibson said this was the third incident this week and he thinks the sixth of the year. He received a call from the woman with the VW last night as he used to do vehicle recoveries on the beach. 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. "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." The vast sandy beach at Morfa Bychan, near Porthmadog, is one of the few in North Wales onto which cars can drive. It's a TikTok favourite, often proclaimed 'one of the best beaches in Wales'.


Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Campervan swamped by sea at notorious Welsh beach
Campervan swamped by sea at notorious Welsh beach It is the latest in a number of incidents this year at the famous spot Campervan falls victim to the tide at Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands) A campervan has become the latest casualty to be swamped by the sea at an infamous North Wales beach. Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands) is famous for catching out unsuspecting vehicle owners, leaving their prized possessions submerged by sea water. The picturesque drive-on beach is notorious for trapping vehicles in its sands, only for them to be overwhelmed by the swiftly advancing tide. This year has already seen several such incidents, including a close call just last Sunday. That particular camper was rescued from the water's clutches, though the full extent of any water damage remains unknown. The most recent misadventure was caught on camera earlier this week as yet another unfortunate campervan fell victim. It's believed the incident occurred on Friday, and while the details are unclear, the outlook for the motorhome seemed grim, reports North Wales Live. Campervan falls victim to the tide at Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands) (Image: @ecorecovery ) Article continues below Social media reactions ranged from sympathy for the owner's plight to outright ridicule. One witty comment on a TikTok video of the debacle by @Ecorecovery read: "When you can't decide whether to buy a camper or a boat." Others showed more empathy, with @Ordog25 sharing: "Oh dear... Black Rock Sands strikes again... remember having to be towed off the beach by tractor because I got stuck in the soft sand at the Porthmadog end of the beach." @Slickster77 remarked: "Nearly had my people carrier, I was in the sea oblivious, luckily I left my keys in the ignition, and a friend shifted it for me, won't make that mistake again." A Facebook user commented: "It always happens, just don't know why people go on the beaches in those kind of vehicles." Another Facebook post read: "Problem is they won't be insured for the damage, can't understand them for taking such an expensive vehicle close to sand and water especially when the wind is up too." Morfa Bychan's sprawling sandy beach near Porthmadog is one of the rare North Wales beaches where cars are allowed access. Frequently lauded as "one of the best beaches in Wales" on TikTok, it's a hit with visitors. The beach's drive-on convenience means families can easily bring their sun-loungers and picnic gear from their cars, avoiding treks from far-off car parks. However, this ease does have its cost – between April 1 and September 30, there's a day ticket charge of £8 for cars and £16 for bigger vehicles and campervans. Despite multiple cautions about the soft sand and rapidly changing tides, advice is sometimes not heeded, leading some to experience unexpectedly high costs after their visit. Article continues below