FOUR fishermen were rescued after their boat began to sink in the North Sea 30 miles off Tynemouth on Saturday.

The men sent an SOS call out for help when the Rachel Jayne began to fill with water at about 5pm.

The crew took to a lifeboat before they were hauled to safety by an RAF rescue helicopter.

They were then taken to Wansbeck Hospital, in Ashington, Northumberland, where they received treatment.

It is thought one of the men suffered a minor injury to his shoulder.

The boat, the Rachel Jayne, which had been working from North Shields, later sunk.

Watch manager for the Humber Coastguard Mike Puplett said: “The Rachel Jayne was listing badly when the crew took to the life raft, and has since sunk.

“This was a well-known Maryport registered prawn fishing boat with an experienced crew.

“The incident just goes to show that you should always be prepared for the unexpected.”