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Girl trapped under sand is saved Girl trapped under sand is saved
(about 4 hours later)
A terrified 11-year-old girl had to be rescued when she became trapped underneath sand by an incoming tide.A terrified 11-year-old girl had to be rescued when she became trapped underneath sand by an incoming tide.
The girl had dug a hole near the water line on Southend beach in Essex and was unable to free herself when the sea started coming in. The girl, who is local to the area, dug a hole near the water line on Southend beach in Essex and was unable to free herself when the sea started coming in.
She was stuck for an hour before the offshore lifeboat crew and Essex Fire and Rescue were able to get her out.She was stuck for an hour before the offshore lifeboat crew and Essex Fire and Rescue were able to get her out.
By the time she was free, the water was up to her chest. She was taken to hospital with hypothermia and shock.By the time she was free, the water was up to her chest. She was taken to hospital with hypothermia and shock.
'Screaming''Screaming'
The girl, who has not been identified, is believed to have been at the beach with a relative.
Martyn Hodder, of Southend Fire Station, said "It appears... the girl had dug a hole earlier in the wet sand and allowed it to fill with water as the tide came in.Martyn Hodder, of Southend Fire Station, said "It appears... the girl had dug a hole earlier in the wet sand and allowed it to fill with water as the tide came in.
"She was sitting down, splashing her feet around in it, but when she stood up to try to leave, she was trapped by the shingle and the weight of the water."She was sitting down, splashing her feet around in it, but when she stood up to try to leave, she was trapped by the shingle and the weight of the water.
"She was screaming and pleading with us not to let her drown - it was a frantic situation.""She was screaming and pleading with us not to let her drown - it was a frantic situation."
He said Essex Fire and Rescue and RNLI crews had worked in tricky conditions to save the girl's life.He said Essex Fire and Rescue and RNLI crews had worked in tricky conditions to save the girl's life.