Days at sea for hire car stuck on beach

LIKE summer, the "silly season" has arrived early at an iconic drive-on beach in Gwynedd. Despite multiple warnings, Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands) at Morfa Bychan has seen several vehicles engulfed by the sea this year already.

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The latest to get caught out was a new 25 plate Mercedes-Benz coupe hire car. It spent two days partly submerged while its owners waited for a suitable low tide to see if anything could be salvaged.

Two weeks ago, an Audi was swamped at the other end of the beach, situated near Porthmadog.

It too was left marooned on soft sand before it could be recovered, prompting online quips like: "That car has been stuck Audi long."

Reaction to seeing engulfed-car photos on social media ranges from sadness for victims to mirth at their misfortune. Often it's just resignation, given how often it happens. "I've lost count of how many cars have done this on Blackrock," said one local.

For many, there was little sympathy for the Mercedes driver. "What an absolute plonker," said one man.

Agreeing, a woman said: "It's the cars I feel sorry for."

Another added: "Oops. Trv and explain that to the insurance company because it won't cover stupidity."