An astonishing video has captured the moment a driver makes the dangerous decision to cross the Holy Island causeway - despite half a mile of road being covered in water.
Aerial video shows the motorist ploughing across the causeway, which is off the Northumberland coast, at what is said to be 'an hour after the last safe crossing time'.
Local coastguard officials often warn drivers against ‘risking it’ , on the treacherous causeway, as the tide can come in suddenly and cut people off, reports the Chronicle Live .
But according to Gary Redfern, who captured the video, this driver was travelling an hour after the last advertised safe crossing time.
Ryan Douglas, Holy Island station officer, said: “This did shock us — there has been so much safety advice put out over the last few years and yet people still do this.
“This was an extremely dangerous thing to do. It’s not like the water comes out of nowhere — that vehicle was lucky the engine didn’t cut out.”
He explained that if the car’s engine had failed, his team, lifeboats from Berwick or Seahouses or even a coastguard helicopter could have been forced to mount a rescue, leaving those teams unavailable for any other emergencies while they were helping the driver and any passengers.
“The consequences can be quite serious,” he said.
“We urge members of the public not to drive on coastal causeways when the tide is coming in.
“If you do get in to difficulties, call 999 for the coastguard.”
Safe crossing times can be found online, or on signs placed at either end of the road displaying the safe crossing times for that day, or any warnings.
Drivers are advised to leave 30 minutes of extra time for their journeys to and from the island to allow for adverse weather conditions.