A FAMILY almost drowned when their speedboat sank in freezing waters a mile from the coast.

As they tried to call for help, 24-year-old David Rundle - who was with cousin Craig Rundle, 14, and uncle Leonard Rundle 38 - became tangled in fuel lines and was dragged under the water.

His life was saved when his uncle grabbed his collar and dragged him into a small section of the boat still above the water, during Sunday's drama.

David, from South Shields, said: "It all happened in about 30 seconds - we didn't have time to put our life jackets on.

"The current was very strong and was pulling us down. My uncle grabbed Craig and then came to free me. There was a bit of the boat sticking out of the water, so we held on to that. If it hadn't been for my uncle, Craig and I would definitely not be here."

Leonard radioed a mayday call before the boat sank, and even managed to let off a flare, but in the freezing waters off the coast of South Shields, it was a race against time for the lifeboat crew.

A helicopter was dispatched but the trio were spotted by another small vessel and was able to reach them first.

They were taken to North Tyneside General Hospital suffering from shock.