POLICE have launched an investigation into the death of a man who fell from a height while on board a ship.
A Coastguard helicopter was sent to the large vessel, the Brasschaat, a mile and a half (2.4km) off Tynemouth, North Tyneside, following the incident at around 2.30pm on Thursday.
Northumbria Police said an inquiry was under way into how the man died.
The RNLI assisted by taking North East Ambulance Service paramedics out to the ship.
An ambulance spokeswoman said there were reports that the casualty had fallen from a height.
"Crew members from the ship were doing CPR and there was a doctor there as well," she said.
A Coastguard spokesman said it sent its Humber helicopter to the scene, and that crew members were winched off afterwards.
The Brasschaat is one of three ships that have become local landmarks after being anchored off the coast for months.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here