EMERGENCY services were called out last night after two people became stranded on Weston's partially collapsed Birnbeck Pier (Thursday, April 11).

Fire crews were called at around 5.43pm to rescue the two males, who had been walking along the "condemned" pier.

Police and local RNLI teams also attended.

A spokesperson for Avon Fire & Rescue Service said: "We were called at 17:43 to provide humanitarian assistance in the form of rescuing two males who were stuck on Birnbeck Pier.

"Two crews from Weston-super-Mare fire station and one from Portishead fire station attended and found both individuals fit and well, but stuck on the causeway of the partially collapsed pier.

"Firefighters assessed the stability of the causeway using a drone and their safe working at height equipment which enabled them to make contact with the individuals.

"Crews were joined at the scene by partners including RNLI, the Coastguard and the police.”

Speaking yesterday, a spokesperson for the RNLI Weston-super-Mare team added: "Weston RNLI volunteers launched both inshore lifeboats at around 7pm this evening (Thursday 11 April), at the request of the Coastguard, to two people who had become stuck trying to cross the condemned Birnbeck Pier.

"We worked with Avon Fire & Rescue Service who were coordinating the response.

"The two people were picked up from Birnbeck Island by the D class lifeboat before being transferred into the Atlantic class lifeboat and brought safely to shore.”

North Somerset Council has said that it is "incredibly dangerous" to try and walk along the historic pier.

A spokesperson concluded: "It may seem tempting to walk over to Birnbeck Island when the tide is low but this is incredibly dangerous.

"The Severn Estuary has the highest tidal range in Europe and third highest in the world. Tide times and heights vary throughout the month and can easily leave people stranded and requiring help.

"Attempting to cross the pier itself is extremely dangerous, the walkway is broken with rotten planks and there is the risk of falling from the pier or being hit by falling debris.

"North Somerset Council purchased Birnbeck Pier and Island in July 2023 thanks to £400k funding from the RNLI. The purchase means that together with the RNLI, we can start work jointly on the restoration of Birnbeck Pier and Island.

"The derelict pier and landside buildings remain out of bounds to anyone other than authorised personnel working on the project."