BRITS have been issued an urgent UK holiday warning after a boy was almost buried alive in sand on a packed beach.
The teen was within moments of a horrific death after getting trapped in a sand hole on Exmouth beach, Devon, as the tide came in.
He was hauled out in the nick of time after a huge response at the popular tourist hotspot yesterday.
HM Coastguard scrambled to the scene to co-ordinate the rescue alongside fire crews the RNLI and police.
Brave members of the public also helped the teen, one of whom was a retired fire officer who happened to be passing and made some life-saving decisions.
The boy needed oxygen after the incident which could have easily proved fatal.
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Crews were called to the beach at about 5pm, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said.
And they have now urged beachgoers to be aware of the dangers of digging deep holes in the sand due to the risk of collapse.
Drew Parkinson coastguard area commander for south Devon and south-east Cornwall, said: "Dozens of members of the public and emergency services worked tirelessly to save the person from drowning as tide came in."
Mr Parkinson said coastguard crews had trained for this type of rescue in the past – due to the "serious risk that sand holes pose".
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A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "HM Coastguard co-ordinated the response after receiving reports of a teenager stuck in the sand at Exmouth with the tide coming in.
"Beer, Dawlish and Exmouth coastguard rescue teams were sent along with Exmouth RNLI lifeboat and Exmouth Beach Lifeguard Unit.
"In addition, South Western Ambulance Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were sent.
"The teenager was rescued and passed into the care of the ambulance service."
The fire service said: "We want to thank everyone who helped to bring about a positive result to this incident, and wish the person involved a speedy recovery."
A spokesman for Exmouth Fire Station added: "The outcome was a successful one after a huge team effort as well as some quick thinking members of the public, one of which was a retired Fire Officer who happened to be passing and made some life-saving decisions.
"Fire crews used a breathing apparatus set, small tools, lances and improvised with beach equipment alongside everyone else involved in the rescue.
"A land ambulance conveyed the casualty to hospital.Don't dig and enter deep holes on the beaches please."
They continued: "This incident was made even more severe by the rising tide and quicksand effect of the sand and water.
"Thank you again to all those who assisted, listened to advice, and cleared the area for emergency service personnel."
'BURIED ALIVE'
A witness to the drama praised onlookers who leapt into action.
They said: "Want to say a huge well done to the people of Exmouth and beyond helping me and us save a young lad from drowning on the beach.
"He was literally being buried alive by sand and water. We fought and fought and we did it.
"Shout out to the emergency services for the quick response.
"Also to the octagon and all the other establishments that helped provide buckets to create a wall. Lad is fine and on his way to hospital."
Another added: "My son and his friends were one of the first to offer to help.
"They dug, helped build a sand wall, did everything they could to help.
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"Phenomenal team effort and well done to the chap first on the scene who got everyone working together.
"Incredible effort all round and an absolute blessing the lad survived."
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