12:15PM, Sun Oct 7, 2012

Child Of Five Among Those Rescued After Boat Fire

By Ruth Holliday Location: South Shields

The RNLI at work

Six people including a five-year-old child were rescued after a fire broke out on their boat and it started taking on water.

Cullercoats RNLI were called out at 10.25am on Sunday October 7 after a distress flare was spotted by a member of the public about a mile off the North Pier at the mouth of the Tyne.

Volunteers were on the scene within five minutes and found the boat, Maria, which was sitting low in the water and at risk of sinking.

The fire had been put out and three of those on board were transferred to the lifeboat for their safety.

They were all from the Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland area.

Maria was then escorted safely to South Shields at 10:50am.

Paul Tooke, Helmsman Cullercoats RNLI lifeboat said: “The skipper of the Maria followed the correct procedure by firing a distress flare which enabled us to respond quickly and effectively.

"We are pleased that they were all safely returned to South Shields.”