Family argument at Butlins lead to massive rescue operation

A massive rescue operation was launched after reports of people struggling in the sea - which turned out to be a family staying at Butlins paddling and having a loud argument.

Officials say a helicopter, three lifeboats, fire and ambulance crews and the police were all called after a third party rang in what they thought was serious trouble.

But the authorities soon discovered they were responding to a false alarm upon arrival - finding one person wading in the sea and the rest of the group rowing on the beach.

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The average cost of an emergency service call-out is estimated to be around £400 - bringing the total for the confusion to more than £2,000.

Officials say a helicopter, three lifeboats, fire and ambulance crews and the police were all called after a third party rang in what they thought was serious trouble.Officials say a helicopter, three lifeboats, fire and ambulance crews and the police were all called after a third party rang in what they thought was serious trouble.
Officials say a helicopter, three lifeboats, fire and ambulance crews and the police were all called after a third party rang in what they thought was serious trouble. | Other 3rd Party
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The supposed casualties were spotted at around 11:40pm on Friday (March 6) on a beach in Minehead, Somerset.

It is thought that they had been staying at a nearby Butlin's resort.

All crews were stood down after everybody was made safe and the police were left to talk to those involved.

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Chris Rundle, spokesman for the local RNLI, said: "It appears one family member was actually wading knee-deep in the sea but the whole group was reported as being in difficulties by a third party.

"It was a very confused situation but clearly when there is a report of persons in the water no-one can afford to take any chances.

"This actually turned out to be a very expensive response to a false alarm but the scale of the resources deployed was no more than was warranted by the situation as initially described."

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