Kayak incident in bay investigated by council

AN investigation has been launched after 18 people had to be rescued from the North Sea during a school water sports trip.

- SOPHIE DOUGHTY and KALI LINDSAY

In June a group of 32 children and adults got into trouble while kayaking and paddle-boarding at Cullercoats Bay, in North Tyneside, sparking a huge rescue operation.

Several lifeboats were sent to the bay while nearby fishing vessels were also asked to help. All those involved were brought safely to the shore, although one teenager was taken to hospital by ambulance to be checked over.

Now North Tyneside Council has confirmed that it is carrying out an investigation into the incident to establish whether an action needs to be taken to help prevent similar events happening in the future.

The Journal understands the Health and Safety Executive carried out initial enquiries before passing the incident back to the council.

Tynemouth RNLI confirmed that lifeboat crews rescued 13 children and five adults from the water while the rest of the group managed to safely return to shore themselves.