4×4 driver makes desperate bid to save ice cream van carried over sea to UK beauty spot

You need a deep love of ice cream to get one from this van…

Locals told how the driver of a 4X4 tried desperately to remove Kelly’s ice cream van with the help of surfers, but to no avail.

The vehicle drifted out to sea after becoming stranded on the beach and was swallowed by the incoming tide.

Tourist Abi Fisk witnessed the drama on Harlyn Bay beach in Cornwall. She said: “It was the best entertainment for everyone on the beach. They all stood there in awe. Even surfers started surfing by the van.

“It was surreal. It looked like one of those end-of-the-world movies where the Statue of Liberty comes out of the ocean and you have ice cream vans going around in the water.

“The beach was full. It was the first summer beach day we’ve had in days. But the tide started to come in, and the van couldn’t go any further.

“Some people in a 4×4 tried to pull it out but the front tire had sunk into the sand. They tried towing the van while it was in the sea, but then it got stuck on some rocks. The guy almost lost his 4×4 himself.”

The ice cream van was finally pulled from the water at 10pm on Sunday by a tractor.

Coast Guard officers closely watched the unfolding drama. A spokesman said: “The driver was safe and well and not in the vehicle.”

Maybe it will have a new ice cream flavor from now on… sea salt.