A MAJOR search was launched for a missing driver after a car was found abandoned in the sea at Brean Beach.

Burnham-on-Sea Coastguard were called at 8.10pm on Sunday (September 29) to reports of a car which had been submerged by the tide at Brean Beach.

The owner of the car was nowhere to be found and the Coastguard were tasked with finding out more information so they could find the owner.

The Coastguard initially carried out a foot search along the shore and the rock armour to ensure the driver but they could not find the driver.

The team then liaised with the police who contacted the owner of the car and concerns grew for the missing driver.

A spokesperson for the Coastguard, said: "A search plan was formulated while we waited for the tide to recede and our flank team Weston-super-Mare Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked and other police units quickly arrived at our location.

"Once the car was safe to approach we gave it a quick look over for any clues before setting off on our search plans given by our officer in charge.

"Search teams were deployed along the river banks following the coastal path, and along the beach covering a wider area.

"One team headed North along the beach towards Brean Down searching the shore and by the seawall.

"Once they reached the Down they headed up towards the bird garden and back towards the National Trust Cafe.

"Once off the beach they were approached by a local resident who said they had spotted a person that matched our description heading along the path which was on our search pattern.

"With this important information, they quickly headed along the path back to the road where the person was being helped by another local resident.

"They quickly established it was our missing person and units were instantly diverted to that location for the best possible care before being handed over to the ambulance service."

The Coastguard praised residents for helping the person at the beach and urged people suffering from mental health problems to seek help.

The spokesperson added: "We would like to extend huge thanks to the local residents who waved us down to tell us they had spotted someone and even bigger thanks to the guy who took the time to stop and ask if the person needed help and keeping them safe until we arrived.

"This is one of the reasons we believe our community is one of the best in the world.

"We see that mental health is a constant battle for some and that daily struggles happen all around us every day.

"It's OK to not be OK, talking to someone may help or reaching out for help from your GP can be a step towards staying on top of things, there are lots of helplines available to call and we urge anyone to call them should they need to."

If you have any concerns for a person's welfare along the coast, don't hesitate, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.