COASTGUARD NEWS - NEWS ITEM
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Eastern 047/01
4 February 2001

TEENAGE FATALITY AFTER SEA SWEEPS ROCKS

Tyne Tees Coastguard were alerted at just before 4.00 p.m. on 4 February 2001 by the Tees Pilot after 4 youngsters were reported to be in difficulties after being swept into the water at South Gare by the pier entrance to the River Tees. A sharp-eyed member of the public who had spotted the 4 individuals in difficulty had in turn alerted the Tees Pilot.

The four youngsters, two sisters, and two boys, all from Middlesborough and in their late teens had apparently been walking near the rocks at the time when the sea swept them into the water.

Rescue helicopter R 128 from Leconfield was scrambled and the Coastguard Rescue Team from Redcar was also sent to the area. The all weather lifeboat from Teesmouth was requested to launch to stand off and medical assistance was sought from the Cleveland Ambulance Service.

All four youngsters were subsequently swept ashore, and all were taken to Middlesborough General Hospital, where sadly one of the boys thought to be 17 or 18 was declared to be dead on arrival.

Peter Kirkman, Watch Manager at Tyne Tees Coastguard said, "At this time of year the temperature of the water is about 7 to 8 degrees Celsius and survival time is measured in minutes rather than hours.

"Clearly when the youngsters had been dragged from the water they all required urgent medical assistance and our team and the Police made sure they were on their way to hospital very quickly. At one time we had a report from the Tees Pilot that they could see one of the females sitting on the rocks clearly in shock. We do not as yet have a clear idea how the incident occurred, and no doubt the Police will be investigating.

" The weather locally has been appalling today with east-south-easterly winds gusting up to 45 knots - force 8 to 9. There is also a very heavy rough swell at the entrance to the Tees and as ever our advice is to steer well clear of any sea walls when we have such rough weather".