Surfers rescue man who leapt from pier into sea

A MAN who jumped from a pier into the sea has been taken to hospital after he was pulled from the water by surfers. The man, who is in his mid-20s, was one of two men reported to have jumped off Saltburn Pier, in the seaside town between Whitby and Middlesbrough.

Coastguards issued a fresh warning following the incident about the dangers of jumping from piers - especially given the icy temperature of the North Sea at this time of the year. Humber Coastguard said it received a call from a member of the public at 2.11pm yesterday stating there were two men in the water to the north of the pier.

The report said one of the men seemed to be in difficulty and was being swept north by the tide. Coastguard rescue from Skinningrove and Redcar were sent to the scene and the Redcar RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched. The Great North Air Ambulance was also sent.

It is understood the men were in everyday clothes.