Anglers plucked from sea after kayak sinks

Lifeboat crews were sent to help the anglers in the "rapid onset of darkness"

Two anglers have been rescued from the North Sea after their kayak sunk.

A lifeboat crew was sent to help the pair, who were cast into the sea in the "rapid onset of darkness" off Church Point, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, on Monday.

The RNLI said its team switched off equipment to listen for the casualties and located them after hearing a "distant call for help".

The two anglers were checked over and taken to hospital, the RNLI said.

The lifeboat crew switched off their equipment so they could hear the stricken anglers calling for help

An RNLI spokesman said the Newbiggin crew was alerted by Humber Coastguard at dusk and assembled its lifeboat within minutes.

"With failing light and nothing visual on the two casualties the volunteer crew opted to switch off equipment and listen," the spokesman said.

"Their training for such a scenario proved worthwhile as they heard a distant call for help in the rapid onset of darkness," he added.

The crew located the pair and plucked them from the water.