An Amazon delivery van was dramatically rescued after becoming stranded on one of Britain's most perilous coastal paths, the Broomway, in the Thames estuary near Foulness, Essex. The incident occurred when the driver, following GPS directions, ventured onto the mudflats in an attempt to reach Foulness Island, a military-used area, according to coastguard reports.
GPS Misleads Driver onto Hazardous Terrain
Rescuers were alerted to reports that the van had been driven onto the Broomway, a 600-year-old pathway across the mudflats that has earned the grim nickname "the Doomway" due to its deadly reputation. When coastguards arrived at the scene, they discovered the driver had already fled to safety, and the vehicle was later recovered by Amazon. The Broomway is only crossable when the tide is out, and the tide can rush in rapidly, posing a severe risk to anyone caught on the path.
Historical Dangers and Safety Warnings
Dozens of people are known to have died while attempting to navigate the Broomway, with many now buried in the Foulness churchyard. This history led Edwardian newspapers to dub it "the Doomway." HM Coastguard stated, "HM Coastguard was tasked at 11.30am yesterday, 15 February, to a report of an Amazon delivery van that had driven on to the Broomway." The Southend Coastguard rescue team emphasized that the route is "not for vehicles and should only be walked on with a guide who knows the mudflats. 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."
They added that the correct access to Foulness Island is via the left barrier through the QinetiQ security office. Coastguard staff confirmed that a driver and passenger were in the van when it was driven onto the mudflats on Saturday evening. HM Coastguard's primary concerns were for the safety of the occupants and potential pollution, but with the occupants safe and the vehicle scheduled for removal, officers were stood down. The van was successfully removed by 3.30pm on Sunday.
