Body found on beach in Tyneside after 'fully-clothed man walked into sea'

A body has been found on a Sunderland beach after a fully-clothed man was seen walking into the sea.

A huge search was launched after an angler saw the incident near Marsden Grotto, Tyneside, on Wednesday night and raised the alarm.

According to the Northern Echo, a search co-ordinated by the Humber Coastguard was carried out for three hours, before being called off with the intention of starting again in the morning.

The Mirror reports that the Sunderland Coastguard rescue team and two RNLI lifeboats from Tynemouth took part in the search, as well as a police helicopter and a search and rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer. Local volunteers also offered their help.

A statement from the Northumbria Police read: "At 10.50pm, on Wednesday, 15 January, police received a report from a member of the public of a man walking into the sea near Marsden Grotto, South Shields.

"Officers attended the scene and carried out an extensive search of the area working alongside the Coastguard. The Northumbria Police helicopter was also involved in the search.

"At around 5.35am today, Thursday, 16 January, officers searching the beach area discovered the body of a man. This was found 600m away from the spot where the man was initially seen to enter the water.

"Formal identification of the man is still to take place and enquiries will be carried out to trace a next of kin, however, officers believe this is the same man seen to enter the water.

"A report will be compiled for the coroner in due course."

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