A man’s body has been found after he failed to return from an open swimming session in a Sunderland park.

Emergency services were last night (Wednesday, May 31) called out to Hetton Lyons Country Park, in Sunderland, following growing concern over the welfare of a 55-year-old man, who had not returned home after going for a swim in the park’s lake.

Sadly, following a search by police, fire and rescue services, and a helicopter, the body of a man was discovered in the water at Hetton Country Park in the early hours of the morning.

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A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “At around 11.30 pm last night we received a report of concern for the welfare of a 55-year-old man, who had not returned home from an open water swimming session in Hetton Lyons Park.

“Police attended the area and, assisted by colleagues from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), carried out a full and thorough search of the area.

“Sadly, those searches led to the discovery of the body of a man. His family have since been notified and are currently being supported by specialist officers.

“An investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is ongoing and police officers remain in the area at this time.”

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A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) spokesperson said: “We can confirm we supported a multi-agency search for a missing person at Hetton Lyons Park in the early hours of this morning.

“Our search and rescue team were deployed to the location and sadly the body of a man was later recovered from the water.

“The thoughts of everyone at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service are with the family and friends of the man in question.”