Amazon delivery driver ditches van after GPS guides them into sea

An Amazon driver was forced to leave their van after their GPS directed them to drive directly into the ocean. This happened on a well-known, historically challenging route in the Thames Estuary in England.

HM Coastguard Southend reported that on February 15th, they received information about a van driving onto The Broomway, a six-mile walking path that extends into the estuary towards Foulness Island, via Wakering Stairs.

This ancient path, thought to be about 600 years old, is a walking route known for its fast-moving tides and treacherous mud. A driver, trying to reach Foulness Island with a delivery, mistakenly followed their GPS onto the path despite the dangers.

A video online shows an Amazon delivery van stuck in mud and shallow water as the tide rose. Luckily, the driver got out safely and contacted Amazon. They were able to get the van pulled free with the help of a local farmer.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Your Southend (@yoursouthend)

Amazon van recovered after driver gets stuck at sea

The coastguard’s primary focus was the safety of those involved and protecting the environment.

The Coastguard’s main priority was ensuring the people involved were safe and preventing any environmental damage. Once everyone was confirmed safe and plans were made to remove the vehicle later in the day, the Coastguard team was released from duty.

According to local news source Your Southend, security guards employed by QinetiQ – the company managing Foulness Island for the UK Ministry of Defence – reported that a driver attempted to reach the island that night to make a delivery.

Amazon told CNN the driver is safe and the van has been recovered. The company is now looking into the incident to understand what occurred.

The Broomway is known to be a hazardous path. Some even call it Britain’s most dangerous footpath, and historical records show roughly 100 people have drowned while using it. The most recent confirmed death along the path occurred in 1919.

This situation highlights a growing problem: navigation apps sometimes give drivers incorrect directions. Just recently, in January, three tourists visiting from Taiwan got stuck on ski slopes in Andorra because they followed their GPS without question.

Read More

2026-02-16 20:50