Rescuers had to battle 4m-high waves to reach the stricken men in the water after a fishing vessel off the coast of Northumberland issued a ‘mayday’ distress call
A man has tragically died after two members of a fishing boat’s crew went overboard, sparking a massive emergency rescue effort.
A mayday alert was made on Sunday from a vessel 14 miles off the coast of Newbiggin in Northumberland. A huge emergency services operation was launched to try and save the two men.
The UK-registered boat Fortitude made the emergency radio call just before 4.20pm, triggering responses from the RNLI, the Coastguard, the North East Ambulance Service and the Great North Air Ambulance Service, and Northumbria Police.
One person has been taken to Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital for further treatment, but police said that a man has died and his next of kin have been informed.
Officers are now supporting the Marine Accident Investigation Branch with their enquiries. Northumbria Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragic death, Chronicle Live reports.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “We can sadly confirm the death of a man at sea off the coast of Blyth, on Sunday, January 11. His next of kin have been informed.
“There are believed to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a report has been prepared for the coroner. As is standard practice with incidents of this nature, we continue to support the Marine Accident Investigation Branch with their enquiries”. Rescuers had to battle through 4m-high waves to reach the stricken men in the water.
A station representative for Tynemouth RNLI added: “On Sunday our All Weather lifeboat and RNLI – Amble Lifeboat Station were tasked to reports of two persons overboard off a fishing vessel, 14 miles off the coast.
“Our lifeboat crews battled through approximately four metre high waves to reach the casualty vessels to help assist. After around five hours at sea, the lifeboat returned to station at 22:30 and was made ready for service. Remember if you need assistance by the coast dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”
The Coastguard said in a statement: “HM Coastguard received a mayday call shortly before 4.20pm (Sunday, 11 January) from a fishing vessel reporting that two members of its crew had gone overboard. The incident occurred approximately 14 miles off the coast of Newbiggin, Northumberland.
“A coordinated multi-agency response was immediately launched. HM Coastguard deployed a search and rescue helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft to the scene. RNLI lifeboats from Amble and Tynemouth were also tasked, alongside two nearby vessels that responded to mayday relay broadcasts issued by the Coastguard.”
North East Ambulance Service said it attended the incident and met RNLI rescue crews at Blyth Harbour with three double crewed ambulances, three vehicles from their Hazardous Area Response Team and a medical car from the Great North Air Ambulance Service. One patient was transported to Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital.
