Dramatic rescue operation from Sunderland boat

The Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team was called tonight at 6.47pm to Scotia Quay on the River Wear following reports of a potential stolen boat with two people on board, which had aground.

A spokesman for the crew, said: "Arriving on scene quickly we found one person in the boat holding onto one person in the water. Shortly after the person let go and the individual was floating face down in the river.

"Two Coastguard officers entered the water in water rescue gear and rescued the man. He was recovered to the river bank where the inshore lifeboat from Sunderland took him on board to the marina.

"The other man then jumped in the water from the boat, Coastguard officers swam back out to him but he was recovered by the lifeboat."

The man who had been lying face down in the water was handed over to the ambulance service, he was conscious and breathing, and, along with the other man, was taken to hospital under a police escort.