An elderly man is in hospital after suffering a medical episode while swimming at sea.

Emergency services descended on Seaham Marina on Monday (October 9) afternoon shortly before 1.30pm when the man was understood to have suffered a medical episode while out swimming.

The man, who is thought to be in his early 80s was rescued and taken to hospital for treatment, Durham Police confirmed.

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Eyewitnesses reported seeing multiple emergency vehicles including the air ambulance arriving at the scene.

The Northern Echo:

Paramedics took the man to hospital in Sunderland by road, with assistance from the air ambulance.

A spokesperson for the Great North Air Ambulance said: “We provided treatment to a patient at the scene, and are escorting the patient to hospital by road with the North East Ambulance Service.”


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In a statement an NEAS spokesperson added: “We were called to an incident at Seaham Harbour at 1.14pm this afternoon (9 October).

“We dispatched a rapid response paramedic, an ambulance crew, a specialist paramedic and a clinical team leader, and requested support from Great North Air Ambulance Service.

“We transported one patient to Sunderland Royal Hospital by road.”