The bizarre mix-up happened on Wednesday night (September 6) in the Lincolnshire seaside village of Chapel St Leonards, near the popular beach resorts of Skegness and Mabelthorpe.
Five police cars were dispatched to the North Sea Observatory after members of the public were alarmed to see what they thought was a sinister figure wearing robes, candles – and multiple bodies strewn across the floor.
However, Yoga teacher Millie Laws, 22, said the ‘bodies’ were actually students lying down with blankets over them and their eyes closed.
She told the BBC: “It’s very dark in there. I just had candles and little tea lights lit the whole room, and I was just walking around playing my drum. I had a nice floaty top on with large bell sleeves.”
“A couple with some dogs just came up to the window and were having a look in, but they walked off really quickly and I didn’t think anything of it.”
“I didn’t know until after we left that these people phoned in saying that there was a mass murderer; they were wearing a robe and they were walking over all of the people, and it looked like some kind of ritual, and that the people on the floor were actually dead.
“I guess from the outside view it could look like that, because they’re all really still, very nice and relaxed. I’m sure their imagination was running wild with what was going on.”
Lincolnshire Police has confirmed it was called “following concerns for the occupants of the North Sea Observatory” – and believe the call was made with “good intentions”.
A force spokesperson said: “Officers attended, we’re happy to report everyone was safe and well.”
In a post on Facebook, managers at North Sea Observatory’s Seascape Cafe reassured residents – and thanked police for the prompt response. The post read: “If anyone heard the mass of police sirens in Chapel St Leonards at 9.30pm last night then please be reassured.
“They were on their way to the Observatory after someone had reported a mass killing in our building, having seen several people laying on the floor… which actually turned out to be the yoga class in meditation.
“Thank you to Lincolnshire Police for their prompt response. I can’t imagine for one moment what would have been going through their minds on the way.”
