Lifeboat crews rescue family from North Sea

RNLI crews recovered two people at first before eventually locating the three others and pulling them from the North Sea.

“When the rescue boat returned, there were floods of tears and it was a massive relief for our family. It was quite emotional,” David added.

“We were unbelievably grateful for the fact that everyone was wearing some kind of buoyancy device. Everyone either had a wetsuit, body board or jacket on and that helped because they were out there for nearly an hour.

”I cannot say enough how good the RNLI were. The response was fantastic.”

Ambulance crews at the scene checked everyone over who was pulled from the sea and three of the five relatives rescued were taken to Wansbeck Hospital at Ashington near Newcastle for treatment for shock, possible hypothermia and for swallowing sea water, which can cause secondary drowning - a fatal condition that can happen up to 24 hours later.

One of the relatives, who watched on from the beach but did not want to be named, said she wanted to warn people about dangerous currents.

The family member said: “Had they not acted bravely and sensibly in their situation, I fear that they would not have been in such good condi- tion when the lifeboat brought them to safety.

“I strongly support that the wider public should know about the dangers of the sea, and in particular the risks of rip currents and it is important that public knowledge of the wonderful work that the RNLI undertake is increased.”

Two others people who had drifted away seperately from the group of five as the rip tide struck were rescued unharmed by people on the beach.

RNLI Seahouses Lifeboat operations manager Ian Clayton, said: “It took us eight to ten minutes to reach the group and the outcome would have been different if we were called any later.”