A swimmer sadly died this morning after becoming unwell while swimming at a North East beach.

The incident happened at around 8.25am this morning at Seaton Carew in Hartlepool.

Reports suggest the person was part of a Sea Swimming group called the “Brass Monkeys.”

North East Ambulance service confirmed that they received a 999 call this morning alerting them to the incident.

Read more: Row breaks out over Bishop Auckland fish and chip shop using Clem's name

The person became unwell and sadly died, despite the best efforts of members of the sea swimming group to revive him.

A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service, said: “We received a call to 999 at 8:25 this morning to a person unwell on the beach opposite The Green at Seaton Carew in Hartlepool. 

“We sent a clinical team leader, great north air ambulance, a specialist paramedic and two emergency ambulance crews."

The Northern Echo has contacted Cleveland Police for further information on the incident.

Read next: 

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here