THE Coastguard and emergency services had to come to the rescue of a dog walker earlier today (March 5) after the pet owner got into danger while attempting to save his pooch.

Groups from the HM Coastguard, South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade and Tynemouth RNLI were paged at 10.50am this morning after reports of a 'multi-agency' incident on the River Tyne at Hebburn.

After dispatching crews to the scene of the incident, teams were greeted by a dog walker in distress, who had become stuck after attempting to retrieve his dog who had run into the river. 

Read more: Body of missing Gateshead man found following police search

The lone male had fallen, and was unable to make it back up the bankside.

Alongside the Coastguard, paramedics from the North East Ambulance Service, as well as lifeboat crews and firefighters from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service also attended the scene, and were able to reach the casualty, who only had minor injuries.

At around 11.30am, the dog walker was reunited with his relieved family, and all units were stood down. 

The Northern Echo: HM Coastguard played their part in saving the dog walker. Picture: HM COASTGUARD.HM Coastguard played their part in saving the dog walker. Picture: HM COASTGUARD.

Following the incident, a spokesperson for the HM Coastguard said: "The man had made his way down the riverside to retrieve his dogs who had ran down and into the river. Unfortunately the man then fell and was unable to recover himself back up the bankside.

"Paramedics from the North East Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team were first on scene and were able to reach the casualty, who was thankfully thought to have received only minor injuries.

"Further assistance was then provided by the Lifeboat crew, and then by the Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue Service, who arrived and provided a safe access route for the casualty to use to be helped to safety, with members of both Brigades standing by to provide bankside safety cover and to help with communications."

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054