Three people “nearly lost their lives” after relying on a tidal app, rescuers said.
They were cut off waist-deep in Silverdale, Lancashire, on Sunday after an app they used to check the tide levels showed information for an area with the same name in the United States.
The group and their two dogs were rescued from the “huge, fast moving” 10m (32ft) tide by Cumbria-based team Bay Search and Rescue (BSAR) and treated for hypothermia and shock.
Rescuers said more signs will be placed on the coastline with QR codes to give accurate tide times.
It was only when BSAR questioned the group’s latitude and longitude did the case of the mistaken location become clear, rescuers said in a post on Facebook.
“By then it was too late,” the post said.
A water scooter was deployed to the scene, as well as the Coastguard and RNLI.
The group was treated by the ambulance service after spending “considerable time warming up and drying out”.
