Third search launched after report of person in distress at Sunderland coastal spot

Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team was alerted earlier this evening after a dropped call to The Samaritans.

The report was made at 5.20pm and concerned the Ryhope Beach Road area.

It is the third time the crew has been called out to the area in the last three days, with the Coastguard called in to support police.

A spokesman said: "On arrival a search was been carried out by the police helicopter and both lifeboats from Sunderland.

"The search returned no results and with no sign of anyone in difficulty all units were stood down."

Contact details and more information about the work of the Samaritans can be found via https://www.samaritans.org/