Amazon delivery driver follows sat nav onto ‘deadliest footpath in Britain’
A delivery van has become stranded on the Essex mudflats in what locals have dubbed “Britain’s deadliest footpath”.
HM Coastguard was alerted at 11.30am on Sunday to “a report of an Amazon delivery vehicle heading towards The Broomway at Great Wakering in Essex”.
The driver was following GPS navigation to Foulness Island on Saturday evening. The delivery driver had to abandon the vehicle before reporting the incident to Amazon.
A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: Independent: “Southend Coastguard Rescue Team attended the scene and withdrew shortly after confirming no-one was in danger.”
The coast guard confirmed that Amazon was aware of the incident and arranged with a local farmer to recover the vehicle and removed the pickup at 3.30pm.
The Broomway is a 600-year-old, six-mile route that runs along flat sands from the coast near Southend-on-Sea to the Isle of Foulness.
Since the entire route is not suitable for vehicles, it is recommended to walk with an expert guide who is experienced in dealing with mud layers.
The road, managed by Essex Highways, is also a Ministry of Defense firing range managed by global defense and security company Qinetiq. The correct route to Foulness Island was through the left barrier through Qinetiq’s security office.
HM Coastguard Southend stated: “This is an extremely dangerous area and is on Ministry of Defense property; access is free only when the firing ranges are not active and the barrier is open.”
The emergency service said: “HM Coastguard’s primary concern was the safety of the vehicle’s occupants and possible contamination. As it was confirmed the occupants were safe and the vehicle was due to be removed later today, the coastguard officers were dismissed.”
There are signs on site stating that “Broomway is unmarked and very dangerous for vehicles and pedestrians.”
The area is famous for being covered by fast-moving tides and dense, confusing fog that is widely credited with disorienting people.
At least 100 people have died in Broomway after becoming stranded at low tide or lost due to lack of visibility, according to parish council records. The last known death was recorded in 1919.
The site has since gained a reputation among locals as the “most dangerous road” in Britain.
The route was historically used by farmers and travelers before modern roads.
Amazon did not respond Independent’s request for comment.
