MP leads rescue efforts after injured seal is spotted on South Shields beach

South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck is among a number of people helping to keep others back from the mammal, which was spotted resting on the sand at Littlehaven Beach on the town’s coast.

She and others have been trying to reach a number of organisations in the hope it can be checked and treated, as it appears to be hurt and in distress after they spotted it this afternoon, Tuesday, August 4.

The MP said: “I’ve been here for hours and I feel like I’m watching it die.

"It’s breathing has accelerated and it’s really horrible.

"It looks like it’s got a broken fin, so we’re making sure no one gets too close.”

She added it looked like the pup had been separated from its mother.

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