Essex Police car 'marooned' in Mersea Strood high tide

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-32808186

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The coastguard and fire service were called out to rescue two Essex Police officers who had become stranded in their car on a causeway at high tide.

Thames Coastguard said the incident happened at about 01:20 BST on Tuesday on Mersea Strood.

The two officers had managed to get themselves out of the "marooned" vehicle by the time the coastguard arrived, a spokesman said.

"As the tide receded the waterlogged car was towed away by a tow truck."

An Essex Police spokeswoman said the coastguard had been called but "we stood them down at 01:40 BST".

However, the Coastguard confirmed its 4x4 vehicle attended the incident.

The B1025 crossing from Colchester to Mersea Island is one of only a few natural causeways left in the UK which vehicles are allowed to cross.

Sea water can flow over the road up to 2ft (0.6m) deep during high tide, which on Tuesday occurred at 01:27 BST.

It is not known whether the officers were responding to an emergency at the time they became stranded. Essex Police declined to comment further on the incident.