Two women who were onboard the boat that sank in Hartlepool on Saturday (May 11) have thanked the emergency services for their rescue efforts after all passengers miraculously got away unscathed. 

Alexandra Davidson was on the small sailboat - alongside four others - when the engine failed, and they got into trouble just off the rocks of Hartlepool marina. 

Quickly, as the wind and sea swells worsened, the conditions got increasingly difficult, and after radioing into the marina with no luck, it became clear to those onboard that they would have to jump onto the rocks to escape the vessel. 

Alexandra was treated for shock by the paramedics, whilst two other passengers were treated for a shoulder injury, and cuts and bruises. 

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Another passenger has spoken to the Northern Echo, saying the boat's occupants were "incredibly lucky" to come away largely unhurt, though she preferred to remain anonymous. 

Together, the women have profusely thanked the emergency services who sprang to their rescue last night, as well as the members of the public who bravely jumped down to help, and called for help from the coastguard.

Alexandra said: "There were five of us in total on the boat, and by some miracle, we've come out of the incident fairly unscathed with some bad bruising, cuts and sprains and pretty severe distress on my part.

"Just after leaving Hartlepool marina, we decided to take the boat back in, as the wind and swells got a lot worse very, very quickly, but the engine on the boat just would not start. It all happened so fast as the swells continued to get bigger and bigger, pushing us straight into the rocks.

The Northern Echo: Boat sunk incident

"Not being able to get the engine back on and actually move the boat, the tide just smashed us into the rocks over and over again until we decided we were going to have to just try and jump to the rocks and climb to safety, which thank God, we were eventually able to do, thanks to the help of some passers-by and my partner's family that witnessed the incident, for whom we're all eternally grateful.

"So much love and thanks go out to the coastguard and ambulance crew that helped look after us.

"Although it was incredibly traumatic we have been so unbelievably lucky and I could really never thank those who helped enough for all they did for us."

The other passenger added: "It all happened very fast, but those people on the wharf were incredible. 

"We’re incredibly lucky we managed to keep it from capsizing as we got closer inland and that we all managed to jump off as quick as we did. The paramedics were amazing too. 

The Northern Echo: Boat sunk incident

"We had tried radioing through to the marina multiple times to ask for help with no luck, so they signalled for help to the onlookers on the wharf.

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"Some of them ran and called for help while the others, very bravely, jumped down onto the rocks to get to the boat.

"After no luck getting through on the radio and the waves taking the boat into land, it crashed side on into the rocks.

"This gave all five on board a short period of time to jump off."