An Amazon
delivery driver drove into the Thames Estuary after following directions from his satnav.
The driver, whose identity is unknown, was forced to abandon his van amid rising waters on a walking path nicknamed The Broomway.
The vehicle was travelling towards
Foulness Island, four miles from Southend, Essex, which is mostly closed to the public because the Ministry of Defence uses it for weapons testing.
The driver followed the satnav’s instructions across an ancient six-mile “walking” path into the Thames Estuary.
It is thought at least a hundred people have drowned while trying to cross the Broomway, which is not suitable for vehicles and should only be walked on with a guide who knows the mud flats.
The “brooms”, bundles of sticks and twigs attached to poles, that for centuries marked the path and gave the Broomway its name, have since disappeared.
The van became victim to the quickly rising water on the Broomway Credit: Your Southend
The Broomway is managed by QinetiQ, a global defence and security company, which describes the area as a “unique right of way which requires both caution and specialist knowledge to negotiate safely”.
In a statement published on social media on Sunday, HM Coastguard Southend said: “HM Coastguard Southend were called out this morning to reports that an Amazon Delivery Van had driven via Wakering Stairs onto The Broomway, which is a 600 years old 6 mile ‘walking’ path out into the Thames Estuary, following a GPS route to take it onto Foulness Island.
“Note: The Broomway route is not for vehicles and should only be walked on with a guide who knows the mud flats. It is an extremely dangerous area and is on MOD property only free to access when the firing ranges are not active and barrier is open.
“The correct route onto Foulness Island is via the left barrier via Qinetiq security office.”
The driver and a passenger had driven onto the flats on Saturday night.
The statement added: “HM Coastguard Southend DSO spoke to the Qinetiq security officer who confirmed they were aware of the van and that the passenger and driver had driven on to the mudflats yesterday evening.
“The delivery driver had removed themselves from the van and reported the incident to
Amazon.
“Amazon have arranged with a local farmer to extract the vehicle this afternoon.”
The coastguard later confirmed the van was collected at 3.30pm on Sunday.
The van was rescued on Sunday afternoon Credit: Jacqueline Lawrie/LNP
The byway is particularly dangerous because the tide comes in faster than most people can run and swirling mists can leave pedestrians disorientated.
Sixty-six victims of the Broomway lie in Foulness churchyard and many more have died on the sands over the centuries.
An Amazon spokesman confirmed it was investigating the incident.
