A BODY has been found in the search of a woman who was reportedly swept out to sea at a North East beach. 

The emergency services and coastguard had launched a search on Thursday following reports a woman had gone into the sea at Hendon Beach, Sunderland.

At the time, RNLI lifeboats were spotted off the coast while the ambulance service said they had also treated a man for hypothermia following reports that he too had gone into the sea. 

Read more: Woman 'swept out to sea' at Hendon Beach in Sunderland - search underway

But confirming the tragic news that a body had been found on Saturday, a Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 7.10pm on Thursday, we received a report of concern for the welfare of a woman on Hendon Beach, following reports she had been swept out to sea.

“A search was launched alongside the Coastguard and other partners to locate the woman but sadly a body has now been discovered on Hendon Beach.

“Formal identification is yet to take place but officers do believe the body is that of the woman involved.

“The woman’s family have been notified and are being supported by officers at this sad time. Please could we ask that their privacy is respected.”

Following initial reports that a woman had gone into the sea on Thursday, many took to social media to share their concern after reporting a search had began.

At the time, a spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service confirmed its involvement and said: "We received a call at 7.26pm to assist with the police and fire service and the coastguard with a report of a person in the water.

"We have treated one man for hypothermia but he did not go to hospital." 

Locals in the area reported particularly poor conditions on Thursday with some suggesting waves as high as 50ft had been breaking onto footpaths along the coast.

A number of residents had joined in the search for the woman on Thursday evening, continuing into Friday morning. 

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