A man has died and another is in a serious condition in hospital after the pair got into difficulty in the sea at Cullercoats beach in North Tyneside, police said. Emergency services were called at around 6.30pm on Sunday following concerns for two men in the water.
Rescue and casualties
A rescue operation pulled them out of the water but one of the men, aged in his 20s, died at the scene. The second man, also in his 20s, was taken to hospital where he remained in a serious but stable condition, according to Northumbria Police. Both men's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by the force.
Witness accounts
Witnesses told how the waves 'were about three or four feet' when the men vanished, reports Chronicle Live. The incident has prompted renewed calls for water safety measures.
Water safety campaign
The Mirror has launched the Save Lives For Sam water safety campaign to tackle the UK's growing drowning crisis. Backed by MPs, Olympic champions, national water safety organisations and bereaved families, the campaign is calling for urgent action including compulsory water safety lessons in schools, a nationwide public awareness campaign, better lifesaving equipment at high-risk waterways, the introduction of Sam's Law, and a dedicated Minister for Water Safety.
