It wasn't coast guard, it was the security guard that closes the pier everytime sunderland are playing and he's on duty,...there was no tidal surge, and nothing on met office, inshore search and rescue (who would have been put on alert if there was) were doing drills in the surf at bottom of pier, I asked them if they knew anything about the tidal surge, and they said they heard nothing, so checked surf reports, and showed no low pressure zones, so zero chance of tidal surge, short story and probably more truthful is he wanted to knock off to watch the football.
I went to ratty, and lo and behold. ... no tidal surge.
The guy who had his leg broke, was on there in very rough seas and a 5m wave hit the pier, and the wash from that washed him into the barrier...seas were not rough today.