Rescuing the rescuers: Emergency vehicle submerged by fast-turning tide as crew responds to 999 call

A FIRE crew had to be rescued themselves when a fast-turning tide totally submerged their €500,000 vehicle after they responded to a 999 emergency call on Saturday night.

The emergency call was made by the driver of a car stuck in the sand on a beach in Co Meath.

Damage to the fire service’s vehicle, one of only three of its type in the county, is estimated at tens of thousands of euro.

It remained in the water overnight and was only recovered yesterday morning.

Crew at Drogheda station spent yesterday washing the vehicle down with fresh water in a salvage bid. However, its electrics and engine are damaged beyond repair.

The Coast Guard had to be deployed to rescue the crew and as much equipment as possible. The crew were ferried to safety in boats and no injuries were reported.

In a statement, Drogheda Fire and Rescue said it received an emergency call at 7.20pm on Saturday that persons were in distress on Laytown/Bettystown beach. They arrived nine minutes later.

“Upon arrival of the Drogheda unit, the occupants of the car were brought to safety but a quick-turning tide rapidly engulfed the emergency vehicle,” the statement said.

“Efforts to retrieve it were unsuccessful and the efforts of the crew then turned to salvaging equipment.”

The Fire Service received help in this task from the Irish Coast Guard who arrived on scene at 8pm.

The vehicle was recovered and returned to Drogheda Fire Station at 8am yesterday.

Witnesses said the person who made the call was driving a Polish-registered vehicle.

It is understood it was the second call he made that day to the emergency services.

Because the call was made on a 999 line, the fire service had to send an emergency vehicle.