Skip to main content

Drone embarrassment

A drone enthusiast captured the embarrassing moment that the driver of an Uber vehicle unsuccessfully tried to cross a tidal causeway in the UK. The drone owner was taking some aerial footage when he spotted the car making the crossing from the Holy Island back to the mainland. The tide was rushing in however, resulting in the car getting a good soaking. Luckily the driver managed to reach a higher point in the crossing so that the vehicle was saved from being totally awash. One of the passengers was rather
April 13, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
A drone enthusiast captured the embarrassing moment that the driver of an Uber vehicle unsuccessfully tried to cross a tidal causeway in the UK. The drone owner was taking some aerial footage when he spotted the car making the crossing from the Holy Island back to the mainland. The tide was rushing in however, resulting in the car getting a good soaking. Luckily the driver managed to reach a higher point in the crossing so that the vehicle was saved from being totally awash. One of the passengers was rather less than impressed although the other, a Buddhist monk, waved enthusiastically at the drone before it was flown back to its owner. The local lifeboat was called out to rescue the passengers, while the vehicle was relatively unharmed and was able to drive away when the tide receded. Hopefully its owner has made sure to wash the salt water away from his vehicle to prevent future corrosion. The Holy Island Causeway has set crossing times when safe crossings can be made. The driver is likely to check these more closely in the future.

Related Content

  • Safety measures aid workzone accident reduction
    February 20, 2012
    Everyone connected with the highway industry is involved in the efforts to cut down the number of work zone accidents. Patrick Smith reports. A few months ago, as road work resumed on America's highways and bridges, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called on drivers to use extra caution in work zones. At the same time he commended the success in reducing overall roadway fatalities in each of the last seven years.
  • Road user charging comes to the UK?
    December 14, 2017
    A new funding scheme for England’s proposed Major Road Network was greeted with enthusiasm by local authorities which partly pay for road upkeep. But this enthusiasm may be premature, explains Alan Pauling*
  • Long reach equipment simplifies demolition
    February 14, 2012
    Demolition is a highly specialised business, as the machinery required to carry out the work on high-rise demolition contracts can be very site specific. Today's high reach demolition rig is no longer simply a tracked excavator with a long boom, indeed some machines cannot be used as excavators at all. Likewise a machine that is dedicated to carrying a 2.5 or 3tonne shear or hammer will need to be built to take the stresses and strains of demolition life.
  • Long reach equipment simplifies demolition
    April 13, 2012
    Demolition is a highly specialised business, as the machinery required to carry out the work on high-rise demolition contracts can be very site specific. Today's high reach demolition rig is no longer simply a tracked excavator with a long boom, indeed some machines cannot be used as excavators at all. Likewise a machine that is dedicated to carrying a 2.5 or 3tonne shear or hammer will need to be built to take the stresses and strains of demolition life. Many of the ultra long boom machines are designed