CLIFF PLUNGE TRADGEDY OF FISHERMAN

Local coastguards and the police launched a massive search and rescue operation after a man died in a 60ft cliff plunge at a popular Tyneside fishing spot. The body of the unnamed 34-year-old from South Tyneside was found by the police helicopter close to the base of the cliffs.

The dead man was on a fishing trip with a pal when the tragic accident happened at an area of cliffs to the south of Souter Point Lighthouse, called the Wary, in Whitburn, South Tyneside, when the man fell shortly before 9pm on the 14 December 2000.

He was winched from the sea and taken to South Tyneside District General Hospital by the police helicopter where despite prolonged attempts by medics to resuscitate the man, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.