Tynemouth: Rip tide warning after RNLI save man swept out to sea

The RNLI described as "extremely cold conditions" and "rough weather" on Sunday

A man was "moments from drowning" before he and another swimmer were rescued from the sea, the RNLI said.

Lifeboat crews were called after one man was swept out to sea and the other man got into difficulty trying to save him in King Edward's Bay on Sunday.

The first man suffered hypothermia in what the RNLI described as "extremely cold conditions" and "rough weather".

It warned swimmers to be prepared for cold water and urged people not to enter the water to rescue swimmers.

'Moments from drowning'

RNLI press officer Alex Bateman said the first swimmer had been swept out to sea on Sunday morning.

A second man entered the water in attempts to save him but also got into difficulty.

Mr Bateman said Cullercoats lifeboat crews were out on a training exercise so arrived to help the first casualty within two minutes of receiving the emergency calls.

He said the man was "moments away from drowning" and had taken water into his lungs.

He was taken to hospital, while the other man was checked over at the lifeboat station by the emergency services.

'Added risk'

The RNLI urged swimmers to check the conditions before entering the water and advised bringing safety equipment, such as a tow float, and wearing correct cold weather wetsuits.

It asked people to carry equipment with a means for calling for help.

The RNLI also pleaded with people not attempt to enter the water to rescue people or pets, but to instead dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

"We advocate staying on the coastline, keeping eyes on the person and keeping a flow of information going to Coastguard," Mr Bateman explained.

"It's an added risk for everyone if someone else enters the water", he added.

It comes as Cullercoats Lifeboat Station is to host an educational cold water safety talk on 16 December.