LIFEBOATS assisted in the rescue of a woman following reports that she had fallen from a promenade in Sunderland.

The woman was reported to have fallen into the sea from the promenade at Hendon, Sunderland, at around 7pm yesterday.

Humber Coastguard requested the launch of Sunderland RNLI’s Atlantic 85 and D Class inshore lifeboats along with officers from Sunderland and Seaham Coastguard Rescue teams, Northumbria Police, and North East Ambulance Service.

Paul Nicholson, Helmsman at Sunderland RNLI said: "Thankfully on arrival we discovered a member of the public and a paramedic supporting the female on the edge of the rock armour at the base of the promenade wall.

"After the short time the female was assisted from the rock armour by coastguards and paramedics while the charity’s lifeboats stood by providing safety cover."

He added: "Thankfully due to the efforts of the member of the public and the emergency services the female was rescued successfully before being taken to hospital by paramedics.

"To carry out a successful rescue all of the links of the chain need to complete right from the initial 999 call to the emergency teams working together at the scene."