A BOATING trip ended in tragedy when two friends lost their lives at the weekend.

Bernard Powell, 56, from Stokesley, and Peter Blount, 47, from Redcar, died after the cabin cruiser they set out in capsized close to the coast at Redcar on Sunday afternoon.

A third man, 20-year-old Philip Ridout, from London, survived the ordeal which happened half a mile off the South Gare breakwater.

A search was launched involving five lifeboats, from Redcar, Hartlepool and Teesmouth, the rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield and Redcar coastguard rescue team, after the alarm was raised at 3.30.

It is believed the boat sank between noon and 1pm.

Redcar teenagers James Hutchinson, 14, and Terry Milburn, 15, raised the alarm after spotting Mr Ridout waving his arms and calling for help.

He was picked up by a Redcar lifeboat crew and taken to hospital suffering from severe hypothermia and a broken ankle.

An investigation into the cause of the tragedy is now under way.

Police confirmed the trio had trouble starting the boat before setting out just before noon.

On reaching South Gare, the engine cut out again and the boat began taking in water very quickly, throwing all three men into the sea.

Police said the boat was due to be examined in conjunction with maritime and recovery experts from Southampton.