Norfolk coast: Woman dies in sea off Winterton

Lifeboats and a helicopter searched the area on Sunday

A 64-year-old woman has died in the sea near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.

Hemsby and Caister lifeboats were scrambled after a beach-goer spotted a black rubber ring floating out to sea north of the Britannia Pier on Sunday afternoon.

Thousands of people on the beach watched as a coastguard helicopter joined in the search.

The woman was later found dead. It is understood she had been swimming off Winterton-on-Sea.

The air ambulance was also called to the scene

Norfolk Police said members of the public raised the alarm at about 15:30 BST when the woman, swimming in the sea, had disappeared from view from the shore.

Her body was recovered by the coastguard shortly after 17:35.

Despite attempts to resuscitate her, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the woman's death was currently being treated as unexplained and inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances.

Second coxwain Rod Wells, from Gorleston lifeboat station, was one of many involved in the search for the missing woman.

"We got reports of the lady missing, I believe this lady is a very good swimmer and does this most days," he said.

When she was located in the water, he said that "everything was done that we could possibly do in challenging circumstances".

"Everybody came together... to help find this lady - but an unfortunate end to that," he said.