FIVE children have been rescued from the sea after getting trapped half a mile off the shore.

On Sunday at 4.45pm, the coastguard rushed to Shoebury East Beach in Essex to save a group children from disaster after the tide quickly began rising around them.

An orange RNLI hovercraft named "Vera Ravine" sits on a concrete ramp leading to a wide, muddy beach at low tide.Five children were rescued from the water Credit: RNLI An orange hovercraft with two people aboard, moving across a muddy, wet landscape.The children were uninjured Credit: RNLI

Southend-on-Sea RNLI volunteers launched its hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine at 5pm and headed at top speed to the reported location at Shoeburyness.

They brought the cold children back to shore to be reunited with their worried parents.

The children were assessed after their rescue and thankfully escaped without any injuries.

Southend RNLI volunteer Commander Jonathan Charnock said: “Southend has a vast tidal flat area, at low tide whilst the water can be seen it can be over one mile from the shore.

“East Beach has the added danger of the MoD firing range to the east of the Boom.

“The children were found on their return to shore however they could have come into real danger quickly.

“With no way of calling for help, improper footwear and an unfamiliarity with the area today’s call could have had a very different outcome.

“If you do go onto the beaches of Southend, check out the local area, know where you can and can’t go.

“Tell someone your plan and a time, properly prepare and have a way of calling for help.”

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