Rescue crews go to the aid of early morning swimmers after they get into difficulties off South Shields coast

The South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade (SSVLB) and Tynemouth RNLI were called out just after 7am today, Tuesday, May 25, following an alert at Trow Rocks, were two swimmers were seen in difficulty.

A spokesperson for SSVLB said: “Team members arrived and assessed the situation, due to the casualties’ location and access being difficult we requested Tynemouth RNLI Lifeboat attend.

"Our team donned their water rescue equipment and made our way to the casualties.

"Although cold they were uninjured, they informed us that they had been caught out while swimming and the tide took them to the rocks.

"Both casualties were recovered to the beach, one by the inshore lifeboat and one by our team, after being checked over they were happy to leave in their vehicles.”

Tynemouth Lifeboat has shared a photo of its rescue efforts, which involved its inshore lifeboat (ILB) Little Suzie.

A spokesperson added: “The swimmers had been swimming around the area, but found themselves caught out by the receding tide and the number of rocks and jagged outcrops in this area.

"Tynemouth ILB quickly arrived on scene, with her crew navigating the rocks in that area to get as close as they could.

"A crew member went to greet the casualties and took one of them for extraction by sea.

"With the reducing tide it was becoming dangerous for the ILB to stay in its current position, so it made way round to the north side of the point to extract the other casualty and crew member.

"With breaking waves making it difficult to get in, it was decided the safest way would be take the final casualty through the water and SSVLB performing water rescue.

"The casualty onboard the ILB was dropped off onto South Shields Beach to be picked up by SSVLB.

"The swimmers had all the correct safety equipment and were local to the area.

"They knew the waters but just got caught out by the changing tides.”

Both teams added people should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard in all coastal emergencies.

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