Overview

• On June 24, force five winds at Cullercoats Bay blew 32 adults and children offshore during a kayaking and paddleboarding outing.
• Lifeboats from Cullercoats and Tynemouth, RNLI lifeguards, HM Coastguard teams and local fishing vessels coordinated the rescue operation.
• Rescuers retrieved 18 people, including 13 children, from the sea while the rest navigated back to shore unaided.
• One child was taken to hospital by the North East Ambulance Service for precautionary checks after showing signs of fatigue.
• The Health and Safety Executive has launched an inquiry into the circumstances and RNLI footage underscores the operation’s intensity.