Sand hole dug eight foot deep found on Cornwall beach

The hole which had been dug by hand and was eight feet deep was discovered on Tregirls Beach near Padstow on Saturday, June 29.

The hole was discovered on Tregirls Beach near Padstow (Image: Sean Porter)

HM Coastguard Padstow had to get local farmer Charlie Watson Smyth from Padstow Farm to fill in the hole for them using a telehandler to make the area safe.

They were alerted to the danger by Sean Porter who also took these photographs.

In July 2021 an 18-year-old boy had to be dug out of the sand on Fistral Beach, Newquay by the emergency services after a hole, which he had dug, collapsed on top of him.

And, in 2005, three-year-old Abbie Livingstone-Nurse died when she jumped into a 5ft deep sand hole dug by her stepbrother on Towans Beach, Hayle.

Posting on Facebook, HM Coastguard Padstow warned of the potential dangers of digging a deep hole in the sand which could cause injury or even death.

“This particular hole is approximately 9 feet wide and 8 feet deep and had been dug by hand,” they said in the post. “The potential for it to cause injury to the unwary, or to collapse in on children exploring it should not be underestimated. Sand hole collapses can cause fatalities.

“Please do not dig holes like this on our (or any other) beaches, and fill in any small ones that your children dig before you leave.

“The fact that a telehandler is required to fill this particular one in speaks volumes about the danger it presents.

“Thanks to Sean Porter for alerting us to its presence, and for the photographs.”

Among the numerous response to the post Kirsty Leśniak said: “They were lucky it didn’t collapse on them whilst digging it out!! Well done to all involved in spotting, reporting and filling it in.”