The RNLI have issued a statement after a person died after becoming unwell while swimming off the North East coast.

Last night, the "Brass Monkeys" sea swimming group confirmed the death of a person, despite their best efforts to revive them.

The incident had taken place at around 8.25am on Saturday (September 10) after a big emergency service presence was reported in Seaton Carew, Hartlepool.

Read more: Person dies after becoming ill while out on a morning swim at North East beach

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

A spokesperson 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."

However on Sunday morning, the RNLI paid their respects and offered their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

Explaining their actions, the RNLI said that the inshore lifeboat ‘Solihull’ was launched with 4 volunteer crew at 8.25am and was on scene a few minutes later.

However, it was discovered that the swimmer had already been recovered to the shoreline by that time.

Inshore lifeboat helm Darren Killick said: “Conditions were very difficult with a 2-3 metre swell but we could see the casualty was already on the beach and we could also see police and an ambulance in attendance and it was at that point we were stood down by the Coastguard and returned to the boathouse.”

The inshore lifeboat returned to the Ferry Road lifeboat station at 8.45am where it was refuelled and made ready for service by 9.15am.

Cleveland Police have been approached for comment.

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