Emergency services have rushed to a popular UK beach to attend an “ongoing incident, with members of the public urged to avoid the area.
Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service have confirmed they are in attendance at West Mersea but there are limited details at this stage.
Locals have been asked to avoid the Seaview Avenue and beach areas, Essex Live reports.
HM Coastguard helicopters have been spotted at the scene and according to witnesses a lifeboat was also seen launching into the water at one point.
RNLI confirmed that West Mersea RNLI’s inshore lifeboat and both Clacton-on-Sea RNLI lifeboats launched this evening.
An Essex Police spokesperson said: “Emergency services are currently on scene of an ongoing incident in West Mersea, Colchester. While we remain on scene, we would ask the public to avoid the Seaview Avenue and beach area.
“We appreciate that this will cause some local issues, but would ask for your patience and understanding as we may be there for some time yet. Thank you.”
A spokesperson for the fire service added: “Emergency services are currently on scene of an ongoing incident in West Mersea, Colchester. While we remain on scene, we would ask the public to avoid the Seaview Avenue and beach area.
“We appreciate that this will cause some local issues, but would ask for your patience and understanding as we may be there for some time yet.”
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