Watch the bizarre moment police car gets stuck in sand at The Open as tide rushes in near Royal Portrush course

THIS is the bizarre moment a police car got stuck in the sand near Open venue Royal Portrush – as the tide rushes in near it.

Sky Sports TV cameras captured the cop car revving its engine in vain as it tried to get itself out of the trap.

Players including home favourite Rory McIlroy will be desperate to avoid the hazards on the course as they contend for the Claret Jug.

But bemused onlookers walking the beach would never have expected to see the police vehicle fail to do the same as it came a cropper.

Video showed its wheels spinning, kicking up sand everywhere, but not moving at all as lapping waves rolled up close to its tyres.

One social media user commented on the clip: “Going to be a challenge getting up and down from there.”

Sky Sports commentator Richard Boxall said: “Oh they’re in a bit of trouble. They better get a move on because the tide’s coming in.”

One Twitter user posted: “Someone send in the emergency services. Oh wait…”

Another quipped: “Not really Baywatch.”

One golf fan joked: “Won’t be the only ones to have trouble in the sand no doubt.”

And another said: “It was a good idea at the time, Sarge.”

A spokesperson from the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “It’s not just the bunkers at Royal Portrush that catch people out. The vehicle and driver are both safe and dry and back on the road.”