UPDATE: A young Australian driver found himself stranded in a dangerous situation when his 4WD became bogged down in a massive pile of seaweed near Jurien Bay, 220 km north of Perth, on Monday night. This incident underscores a critical but lesser-known beach hazard as summer approaches.
The driver was returning to his accommodation in the dark when his vehicle suddenly sank into layers of seaweed, leaving him trapped. Unable to assist, his father reached out to Shaun from Westcoast 4×4 Recovery for urgent help. The rescue took place at 1 AM, and Shaun described the scene as “risky” due to the unpredictable nature of driving on seaweed, which can conceal large voids beneath.
“Obviously, [the driver] hasn’t experienced the potentials of driving on seaweed, so he unfortunately found out the hard way,” Shaun told Yahoo News. The driver remained stranded for three hours before help arrived, highlighting the critical need for awareness among beachgoers.
Seaweed and seagrass, commonly known as “beach wrack,” accumulate on Australian beaches during winter storms, creating a deceptive and hazardous environment. While this natural phenomenon is essential for coastal ecosystems, providing nutrients and habitat for marine life, it poses a severe risk to drivers unfamiliar with its dangers.
“The dangers of seaweed are pretty high—you can be driving on what you think is a perfectly sandy beach, but below that sand is a lot of seaweed buildup from the winter,” Shaun explained. As summer approaches, he anticipates more calls from drivers caught off-guard by this hidden threat.
Fortunately, Shaun was able to recover the driver’s 4WD in less than an hour, and it was fully operational. This incident serves as a crucial reminder for all beach drivers to remain vigilant and informed about the risks associated with seaweed-covered shores.
As summer tourism ramps up, visitors should be aware of these potential dangers. Sharing this story could save someone from a similar fate. For more updates, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.
