Man taken to hospital over hypothermia fears following car and jet ski rescue

South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade were called to the slipway at South Shields Sailing Club at Littlehaven after the HM Coastguard reported a car and a jet ski on a trailer had become stuck because of the incoming tide.

When the five-strong team arrived, they found the VW Beatle half submerged in the water.

They secured the car to ensure it did not float away and used their own 4x4 vehicle to tow the vehicle and trailer free from the water.

A spokesman for the team said: "The team’s priority was to ensure the safety of the owners

"A member of our team noticed one of the owners was showing signs of hypothermia, due to him being in the water trying to save his vehicle.

After assessing him, it was decided to call for an ambulance.

"In the meantime we used blankets and our vehicles heaters to keep him warm.

"He was then taken to hospital as a precaution by the ambulance crew."

The team, which was called to the slipway at 12.40pm, spend two hours handling the incident.

Once the car and trailer was safe and the man was taken to hospital, they towed his jet ski home.

The spokesman added: "We always try to help wherever we can."

The brigade has added a reminder that people should dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard in all coastal emergencies.