School Trip Rescue: 32 Children and Adults Brought to Safety After Sea Incident

The incident happened on June 23, during a kayaking and paddleboarding activity. The group — made up of pupils and staff — encountered unexpectedly strong winds, which pushed some of them offshore into difficult conditions.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) responded quickly, sending lifeboats from multiple stations including Cullercoats, Blyth, and Tynemouth. Local fishing boats also supported the rescue effort.

According to the RNLI, 13 children and 5 adults were helped directly from the water by lifeboat crews. The remaining members of the group were able to return to shore safely on their own. One teenager was taken to hospital as a precaution, but was not seriously injured.

Winds on the day were recorded as Force 5 – capable of reaching up to 24mph – creating choppy sea conditions.

Lifeguards on duty worked closely with lifeboat crews to ensure everyone was safe.

All children were supervised by adults, and crews noted that the group acted sensibly when they realised they were in difficulty.

A spokesperson for North Tyneside Council, which oversees the area where the trip took place, confirmed that a formal investigation is ongoing to understand exactly what happened and whether additional safety measures are needed for future activities.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also looked into the incident before handing the investigation back to the local council.

Sam Clow, RNLI Coxswain at Tynemouth, said: "The group was caught off guard by the wind and blown offshore. Every child we helped had an adult with them, and they did all the right things once they realised they were in trouble."

Lifeguard George Legg, who helped with the rescue, added: "The wind made conditions difficult, but the rescue teams worked quickly and calmly to bring everyone back safely."

Senior Lifeguard Alfie Meeson also praised the teamwork between lifeguards, RNLI crews and other services, saying" It was a fast-moving situation, but we’re proud of how everyone worked together to get the right outcome."

The council’s investigation will look at how the trip was organised and whether any changes need to be made to help prevent similar situations in future. While the rescue ended safely, the incident has raised important questions about safety planning, weather conditions, and supervision during outdoor activities.

A full investigation has been launched after a group of 32 children and adults had to be rescued from the sea during a school water sports trip at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside.

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