Hartlepool RNLI volunteers were paged yesterday afternoon (Sunday, July 3) to assist someone in danger at Seaton Carew.

The team was informed of the incident at 3.57pm by Humber Coastguard yestrday to a report of a swimmer in difficulty off the Sandy Car Park at Seaton Carew.

The inshore lifeboat launched at 4.07pm followed shortly afterwards by the all weather lifeboat.

A thorough search of the area was made by both lifeboats and several other vessels that also joined the search.

Read more: Lifeboat volunteers rescue injured person from County Durham beach

Sea conditions at the time were described as calm with excellent visibility.

At 5.48pm both lifeboats were stood down by Humber Coastguard and returned to the Ferry Road boathouse where they were refuelled and made ready for service by 6.20pm

Hartlepool RNLI Coxswain Robbie Maiden said: “This appears to have been what I can only describe as a malicious hoax call.

“Incidents like this are a waste of valuable time for my volunteer crew members and a waste of fuel and resources that could eventually endanger the lives of others who may genuinely need our help.

“But from a more positive note I would like to praise the skippers of several other vessels in the area that took part in the search which was very much appreciated.”

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