Lifeboats were launched after a boat failed to return to the marina - and rescuers found a man aboard suffering smoke inhalation after the engine ignited. 

Both Hartlepool RNLI lifeboats Solihull and Betty Huntbatch were launched at 5.05pm on Tuesday (June 26) to look for a missing cabin cruiser off Seaham. 

20 minutes later, the crews found the boar with one person aboard just off the County Durham coastline. 

Humber Coastguard had said that the vessel was overdue at Hartlepool Marina during its passage from the River Tyne and could not be contacted.

Two crew members were placed aboard the casualty vessel where it was discovered that the person was suffering from smoke inhalation from the vessel's engine.

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Casualty care was administered to the person as the vessel was towed back to Hartlepool Marina where Coastguard and paramedics were waiting to take over and deal with the incident.

Volunteer crewmember Jordan Craddy, who went aboard the vessel, said: "The male casualty was showing obvious signs of smoke inhalation from the boat's engine so oxygen was administered until we reached the Hartlepool Marina where paramedics took the person to hospital."

Both lifeboats returned to the Ferry Road lifeboat station and were made ready for service by 8.30pm.