LOGY BAY-MIDDLE COVE-OUTER COVE, N.L. — A rough sea crashing onto the shoreline looks nice from a distance, but get too near and it can be dangerous.
There was a scary moment for some people at Middle Cove Beach in Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove on Friday afternoon when they got too close to the ocean surge and ended up being pulled into the water.
Beatrice Clowe was at a distance taking photographs when she saw the incident.
She said a family of two adults and two children, and another man further away — were on the beach at Middle Cove admiring the pounding waves hitting the beach when some of them were suddenly caught in the surf and swept into the water.
All who ended up in the water made it out safely, and back to the parking lot, but Clowe said the incident shook her.
“So that was scary! Seen a family and some other guy almost get swept out to sea at Middle Cove,” she posted on social media.
“Respect the ocean people!”
Clowe told The Telegram Sunday that the waves were starting to build up and suddenly a huge wave came in and covered the beach, catching the family and the other man off guard.
“It happened so fast. I looked over and saw the kids in the water,” she said.
“Then the water receded and they were able to get out and they bolted for the parking lot. We asked them if they were OK, but they seemed too shaken, and just headed for their vehicle.”
Clowe said she visits the area often, but had never seen anything like this happen before.
“You have to be really mindful of the ocean,” she said. “It’s beautiful to look at, but you have to stay away at a safe distance. The waves were sometimes coming right into where the stairs are. I’d like to make people aware of the danger.”
The day after the Friday incident, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary tweeted a warning about the dangers near the ocean: "We have received reports of high tide and powerful swells in the Middle Cove Beach area., Please use extreme caution if you are near coastal and beach areas this weekend. Enjoy the beautiful scenery from a distance."
Environment Canada issued wind warnings in recent days for parts of the province, and Sunday morning’s marine report for the east coast of the province called for seas two to three metres, building to three to four metres, which were expected to subside somewhat Monday evening.
⚠️ADVISORY⚠️ We have received reports of high tide and powerful swells in the Middle Cove Beach area. Please use extreme caution if you are near coastal and beach areas this weekend. Enjoy the beautiful scenery from a distance. #YourRNC pic.twitter.com/wAcP6FZRZC
— Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (@RNC_PoliceNL) February 20, 2021
A similar incident was caught on video earlier in the month and posted to Facebook by Isabella St John. In it, a woman is nearly swept away by the high tide. She's able to make it dry land without any assistance and walks away.
The town of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove routine warns visitors of the dangers at Middle Cove Beach in the winter months, advising that people keep their distance from both the unpredictable surf and the picturesque ice wall.
⚠️Once again, high tides and large waves are forecasted for the next few days at coastal areas, with a low to moderate...
Posted by Town of Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove on Wednesday, February 10, 2021