Teen rescued after struggling in sea

A TEENAGE girl was airlifted to hospital after getting into difficulty in the sea at a popular Tyneside beach yesterday.

- NICOLE GOODWIN

A major rescue operation was launched at Whitley Bay at around 4.20pm involving the HM Coastguard, RNLI and Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade.

The girl was recovered to the shore and handed into the care of North East Ambulance Service before being airlifted to hospital by the Great North Air Ambulance Service, which made its landing on the beach.

Onlookers watched as the air ambulance landed, and a police cordon was also put in place on the promenade near Spanish City car park. Emergency services remained in the area throughout the evening.