The RNLI rescued four divers from the sea over the weekend after they attempted to search in a sunken ship. 

Crowds of people who had come to Redcar to see RNLI lifeboat volunteers carry out a demonstration rescue, as part of their Flag Day money raising efforts, found themselves watching the real thing this Saturday afternoon. 

At 1.13pm on Saturday (July 1), Redcar Lifeboat team were tasked with a search operation, after four divers were reported missing.

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The skipper of the dive boat had called Mayday after being unable to see the divers in the area they had been diving. 

According to RNLI reports, both lifeboats launched and headed out towards the wreck of the Dimitris; a cargo ship that sank just off the Redcar coast in 1953.

The divers were reported to have been diving to this wreck.

The lifeboats started a search in this area and found all four divers close to the area they had last been seen. 

Following the rescue, Cameron Bond, helmsman for the D Class ILB said: "Once we arrived at the area, we commenced a search and located all four divers within a few minutes.

"We got all the divers into the lifeboats and returned them safely to shore."  

Dave Cocks, Redcar RNLI Chairman, added: "The crowds that had come to the seafront to see our Flag Day rescue demonstration actually got to see the real thing.

"It was a perfect example of a well-executed rescue operation with all four casualties being returned safely to shore. A job well done."