Man drowns in sea while trying to rescue his dog
A man who died after disappearing into the sea as he tried to rescue his dog has been named by the police.
Alex Hardy, 32, from Stockton, went missing off the coast of Hendon beach, Sunderland, at around 4pm yesterday and is believed to have drowned.
A woman who also went into the water was rescued by an RNLI crew shortly after the first emergency call was received, and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
The dog was said to have made its own way back to the beach.
This morning a body was recovered near Ocean Road in Grangetown after searches were resumed and it was identified as Mr Hardy.
Two teams from Humber Coastguard, two crews from Sunderland RNLI and a police helicopter were involved in the search.
A spokeswoman for Humber Coastguard said they did all they could until late into the night and started again when the tide was low enough for it to be safe this morning.
James Jamieson, operations manager at Sunderland RNLI, said his crew rescued the woman shortly after beginning their search for the pair but was stood down by the coastguard at around 8.15pm when it became dark.
"Our thoughts are very much with the casualties and their friends and family," he said.
Northumbria Police said a report was being prepared for the coroner.
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