'Intoxicated' early morning swimmer sparks call out from emergency services

The Coastguard has said an incident "could have ended very differently" after an intoxicated person was found on Roker Beach.
The emergency services were called to Roker Beach earlier this morning.The emergency services were called to Roker Beach earlier this morning.
The emergency services were called to Roker Beach earlier this morning.

Sunderland's Coastguard Rescue Team was called to the shoreline at 7.35am today after a 999 report passing on concerns for "a person lying on the beach who had possibly been in the water."

A spokesman for the team said: "On arrival we found the intoxicated individual in the care of the ambulance service after they decided to go for an early morning swim just in the clothes they had on, the currents can easily wash a person out to sea and this incident could have ended very differently."

They added people should remember to dial 999 in all coastal emergencies and ask for the service.