Ambulance sent to a beach to save a patient has to be rescued itself after getting trapped in the sand
Paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service had to be rescued from Camber Sands beach in East Sussex on New Year's Day when their ambulance got stuck with a patient inside.
By DAN WOODLAND, NEWS REPORTER
Published: 15:16 GMT, 2 January 2026 | Updated: 15:40 GMT, 2 January 2026
An ambulance crew were forced to abandon their vehicle after it got trapped in the sand while rescuing someone on a beach.
Paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service had to be rescued from Camber Sands beach in East Sussex on New Year's Day when their ambulance got stuck with a patient still inside.
They had been responding to reports of a person in a serious condition in the early hours of the morning.
The patient was given initial treatment by paramedics before the vehicle got trapped dangerously close to the shoreline.
Photos show waves lapping the rear wheels of the emergency vehicle, which was in danger of being swamped by the sea as the tide changed.
Luckily another ambulance came to the rescue and transported the patient to hospital, while the first crew were given a replacement vehicle allowing them to continue their shift.
Local recovery firm DJ Haulage and Recovery were later called in to maneuver the ambulance to safety before it was engulfed by the waves.
Dean Miller, who works for the firm, said: 'I've never seen an ambulance trapped on Camber Sands. But there have been plenty of other vehicles stuck there over the years. Its equipment had been removed when we arrived. But the staff were lucky - it was a near miss.'
An ambulance got stuck in the sand while rescuing someone from Camber Sands beach on New Year's Day
Waves were seen lapping at the rear wheels of the emergency vehicle, which was in danger of being swamped by the sea as the tide changed
A spokesperson for the company added: 'Called to assist South Coast Ambulance Service to a stranded vehicle with the tide lapping at its wheels.
'Ambulance recovered safely to the car park using our fully equipped off road recovery vehicle.
Meanwhile, locals were seemingly bemused by the situation. One person said: 'I have to say I'm confused as to why they took it down there. At least they didn't bury it trying to get out.'
Someone else added: 'Who's the drip that drove onto the sand?'
A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that one of our ambulances became stuck on Camber Sands while responding to reports of a person in a serious condition in the early hours of New Year's Day.
'After initial treatment, the patient was transported to hospital by another ambulance and a replacement vehicle provided to enable the first crew to continue their shift, while arrangements were made to recover the vehicle.
'We would like to thank all those involved for their assistance at the scene.'