A man has been found dead inside a car after the vehicle plunged off a cliff edge on the coast of South Tyneside, say police.
Officers at Northumbria Police confirmed the tragic death after being called to the scene at about 12.20pm on Wednesday.
Emergency crews attended the scene at Marsden Grotto after first receiving reports that a vehicle had been spotted in the sea.
Images taken from the scene appeared to show a black car that was crumpled having been washed up on jagged rocks at the bottom of a cliff.
The tragic discovery came after a search and rescue operation was launched, made up of teams from the RNLI lifeboat service as well as Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.
Officers had initially received reports from a member of the public that a vehicle had been spotted in the water, Chronicle Live reports.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “At 12.20pm today (Wednesday) we were alerted by a member of the public about a vehicle that was seen in the sea in the Marsden Grotto area of South Shields.
“Emergency services attended the scene."
The force later confirmed that a man had been found dead inside the car.
The death is not being treated as suspicious.
A spokesperson added: "Sadly, inside the vehicle they found a man deceased.
“His next of kin have been notified. There is not believed to have been any third party involvement and a report will be made for the coroner.
"Anyone with information or who witnessed what happened is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 2367@northumbria.police.uk.”
