TWO divers were treated in hospital after coming up to the surface too rapidly off the coast of Hartlepool yesterday, Sunday.

Both Hartlepool RNLI lifeboats were launched at about 11.20am after being alerted by Humber Coastguard that the divers needed treatment after a rapid ascent from 20 metres deep, about seven miles north of Hartlepool.
Both lifeboats were on scene by 11.40am, where the two male divers were taken aboard the all-weather lifeboat, and medical advice taken over the phone from a dive doctor in Hull.

The casualties were brought back to Hartlepool lifeboat station at midday, where they were assessed by waiting paramedics before being taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for treatment for possible decompression sickness.

Mike Craddy, Hartlepool lifeboat station operations manager, said: “Once again our volunteer crew were quickly on scene and our first aid training for such a scenario was ideal.

“We hope the two divers make a quick recovery from their ordeal.”