EMERGENCY crews from the Coastguard and RNLI were called to three incidents in Weston on the weekend following separate sightings of people entering the water. 

On Saturday, September 10, the Coastguard and volunteer RNLI crews were called to assist in locating a missing person thought to be seen around the Grand Pier area at around 8.25am.

A D-class and Atlantic 85 lifeboat was launched from Knightstone Harbour and searched the Weston Bay area, along with emergency services, but was later stood down after it was confirmed the missing person was safely recovered on land.

Later that day, the Coastguard informed RNLI crews that three people had been seen walking the causeway to enter Birnbeck Pier as the incoming tide was approaching. 

At just after 4pm, crews rushed to search the area. The Coastguard requested the RNLI to launch in order to check the far side of the island after the causeway was covered with water.

Crews were again stood down after a search found nobody in the water or on the island.

The RNLI said a group of climbers told its lifeboatmen that three people had earlier attempted to cross the perilous stretch of water, but soon retreated. 

A third call-out was conducted on Sunday, September 11, at around 8.30pm when Coastguard teams asked lifeboats to be launched to help conduct a search after somebody was seen entering the water after dark. 

A spokesperson for the Coastguard said: "The inshore lifeboat and Coastguard Rescue 187 helicopter was dispatched to conduct searches in the area. Coastguard water rescue teams also conducted shoreline searches.

"Crews failed to locate a person in the water so lifeboat and helicopter assets were stood down.

"Coastguard water rescue teams continued to search along the outgoing tide for some time before being resigned by the police pending further investigations."

Weston RNLI crews also conducted a water safety event and a training exercise on the weekend too.