Land Rover emerges from Cornwall beach almost 30 YEARS after it was buried by the sea
A CLASSIC Land Rover has emerged from the sands of a Cornish beach – almost 30 YEARS after the sea buried it.
The unusual wreck resurfaced at Gwithian beach at Hayle nr St Ivesdue thanks to shifting sands and big spring tides.
The rear passenger side wheel – complete with a tyre that still appears to be full of air – has briefly appeared before.
But last week the chassis could also be seen as more of the 1978 Land Rover was uncovered for the first time.
The vehicle – which had 'Merry Christmas Cornwall' painted on the side – was buried upside down in January 13 1990 when owner Ronnie Hanney drove wife Margaret and daughters Gina and Vikki to the water's edge.
It had been parked up by the shoreline but its wheels sunk into the soft sand and couldn't be moved.
The tide turned and the family ran for help but the water soon engulfed the Land Rover.
Gina, who was 16 at the time, said: "It was one of the most embarrassing days of my life.
"The tide had turned and we couldn't get out in time, so I ran back up to the slip to try to find someone to help while people started to gather on the headland to watch.
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"Once the water reached the Land Rover we couldn't do any more and we had to leave it.
"The funniest thing was, when my dad went back with a spade the next day to dig it out, all that was sticking out of the sand was the chassis and four wheels."
In a report at the time the local Cornishman newspaper said: "The sand flats below Hayle Towans claimed an unusual wreck earlier this week when a 22-year-old Land Rover dropped into a hole and refused to budge.
"Mr Ron Hanney of Water Lane, Hayle, owner of the disaster stricken vehicle, rushed home to get a tractor and pull it out, but the tide won the race."
Though he was understandably upset at the time, Gina admits after a few years her dad, who died aged 69 in December 2015, saw the funny side of it.
She added: "In a way it's nice he has left a legacy that is now part of Hayle, as he loved it here.
"Although, obviously it's not so good for the environment."
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