THREE people were taken to hospital on Sunday after a jet-ski accident off the North-East coast.

Hartlepool RNLI inshore lifeboat launched at 5.12pm following a request by Humber Coastguard to recover four people from the water at Seaton Carew.

Three of the casualties had fallen off a jet ski and a fourth person who had swam out to help was unable to return to the beach.

The RNLI inshore lifeboat and volunteer crew recovered the four people who were suffering with cold and shock, and brought them back to the lifeboat station where they received first aid attention from the lifeboat station doctor, and paramedics.

One of the casualties was taken to hospital by ambulance and two other casualties were transferred to hospital by Hartlepool Coastguard.

The fourth casualty who had swam out to the incident was allowed to return home from the lifeboat station.

Hartlepool RNLI Lifeboat operations manager Mike Craddy said: "A quick response from our inshore lifeboat crew meant that we were on scene very quickly and recovered the four casualties before the situation deteriorated.

"Once again this weekend the dedication from the volunteer crew members has been outstanding and all of us hope the casualties recover quickly from their ordeal."