Amazon van abandoned on 600-year-old ‘Deadman’s Path’ after sat-nav blunder
Amazon van abandoned on 600-year-old ‘Deadman’s Path’ after sat-nav blunder
An Amazon driver followed his GPS onto the 600-year-old ‘Doom Path’ and the results were… as its name suggests.
The van, abandoned on Britain’s most dangerous path(Image: Facebook/Your Southend)
It’s the notification no one wants to see: “Your delivery has been delayed” – but you don’t expect to see: “… because the driver is currently sinking into the sea.”That’s precisely how an Amazon courier wound up, finding himself in a “Prime” disaster on Sunday after following some dodgy advice from his sat-nav that sent him straight into the treacherous tidal mudflats of The Broomway in Essex. The 600-year-old Essex path isn’t your average B-road. Throughout the centuries, the six-mile pathway has been called both the “Doom Path” and the “Deadman’s Path,” thanks to its notorious reputation for its sinking mud and rapidly changing tides that flow faster than a person can run. Or, in this case, faster than a van can drive. To top it all off, the path sits on Ministry of Defence land where the army holds live-fire practice.
An Amazon delivery driver and his passenger were forced to abandon ship after becoming trapped on The Broomway in Essex(Image: Neal Threadgold)
HM Coastguard Southend were called to the scene near Great Wakering on Sunday, Feburary 15, amid reports of a van spotted trying to shortcut its way to Foulness Island. Parish records show that at least 100 souls have perished on the watery route, which is often described as the most dangerous walk in Britain.The driver and his passenger had reportedly been trapped in the mucky depths since Saturday evening, finally calling it quits and bailing out as the reality of their situation sank in.A Coastguard spokesperson said: “The Broomway route is not for vehicles and should only be walked on with a guide… It is an extremely dangerous area.”The Broomway is currently managed by global defence and security company QinetiQ, which describes the path as a “unique right of way which requires both caution and specialist knowledge to negotiate safely”.The van was eventually hauled out by a local farmer on Sunday afternoon, but not before the internet had its say.One user said: “Explains a lot – They can’t even find my flat to deliver my parcels. It’s everywhere but the actual address. I put money on that being my delivery driver.” A second added: “Did they not realise they’d taken a wrong turn until they were literally in the sea? Absolute madness.” While a third just chipped in with: “Can’t park there mate.”The Coastguard kindly provided directions for any other motorists who may get the urge to drive to Foulness Island via the muddy ‘shortcut’. Essentially, just don’t. “The correct route onto Foulness Island is via the left barrier via Qinetiq security office,” the Coastguard said.
