Anglers spark emergency
SIX men fishing from the end of Tynemouth pier sparked a major emergency operation on Sunday.
The alarm was raised at 5.30pm after a member of the public reported to police that the men appeared to be in danger as heavy waves were breaking over the pier.
The Tynemouth RNLI inshore lifeboat, with three volunteer crew members, was sent to the area by the UK Coastguard’s Humber Operations Centre.
Also on scene were teams from the Northumbria Police marine division, the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade (TVLB), Blyth Coastguard Rescue Team, Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue and North East Ambulance Service.
As the lifeboat arrived, the crew was asked to provide safety cover as four members of the TVLB used the tunnel that runs through the pier to get to the lighthouse end. The police unit also stood by at the pier end.
The fishermen were in no immediate danger but were escorted to safety through the tunnel by the TVLB, and met by police officers.
Once the men and TVLB members were on safe ground, all other rescue units were stood down.
Adrian Don, spokesman for Tynemouth RNLI, said: “Tynemouth pier is locked during bad weather and at night but fishermen regularly climb the fence to fish from the pier end.
“Waves were breaking over the middle of the pier and although the men were in no immediate danger, if the wind and sea had shifted direction it could have meant very large waves breaking over the top of them which could have washed them into the sea. The waves also meant they couldn’t safely leave the pier.
“Our volunteer crew members maintained safety cover for the members of the TVLB and the fishermen until they were all safely off the pier.”
Peter Lilley, TVLB captain, said six members of their team, wearing full water rescue PPE, went through the tunnel that runs from the middle of the pier to the seaward end to avoid the worst of the breaking waves.
He added: “As the brigade members made their way through the tunnel, Tynemouth RNLI inshore lifeboat was on scene to provide safety cover and, in conjunction with a launch from Northumbria Police marine division, spoke to the casualties.
“On doing this, it became apparent that there was in fact six males, all aged around their late teens, who were happily fishing from the pier end.
“Once brigade members reached the group, they agreed to be escorted off, with the tunnel again used to bring them all to safety. The incident was complete with the pier secured at 6.30pm.
“Officers from Northumbria Police then spoke at length to the group, and took their details pending further action as the pier was closed at the time and is the property of the Port of Tyne.”