Emergency crews in Essex were called out after an Amazon delivery van became bogged on The Broomway, a tidal mudflat often labelled the country’s most dangerous footpath. HM Coastguard Southend said it received reports late Sunday morning about a vehicle stranded on the route near Great Wakering, a stretch notorious for soft sands and rapidly shifting tides.
According to authorities, the driver had been following GPS directions when the route led them off the public road network and onto the centuries‑old track, which is usually accessible only on foot and only at specific low‑tide windows. The path sits beside Ministry of Defence land and carries multiple warnings about tidal hazards and restricted access. External reporting indicates the driver was attempting to reach Foulness Island when the van became stuck.
Coastguard teams assessed the situation and determined that the rising tide made any attempt to physically recover the van too dangerous. Instead, responders confirmed the driver was safe and that the vehicle would need to remain until waters receded. One outlet noted that the van was eventually retrieved once the tide dropped later that afternoon, though the boggy surface made extraction slow and messy work.
The Broomway has long had a grim reputation, with local historians describing it as one of Britain’s most hazardous public paths due to disorienting conditions, quicksand‑like mud, and fast‑moving tide lines. Signs and guidance recommend specialist local knowledge before using it, and most residents advise avoiding the route altogether. The incident has sparked another round of online debate about the risks of relying too heavily on automated navigation systems in unfamiliar areas.
Amazon has not publicly commented on the mishap, but the story has already circulated widely, with many social media users amused by the unusual detour while others expressed concern at how easily a wrong turn can endanger drivers unfamiliar with coastal terrain. The Coastguard emphasised that although the driver escaped unharmed, similar situations can escalate quickly, especially when tides are on the rise.
