Man's body discovered after he fails to return from open water swimming session

01 June 2023 , 15:16

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Police were called to Hetton Lyons Country Park at around 11.30pm on Wednesday, May 31, after a 55-year-old man failed to return home (Image: Google)

A man has sadly died following an open water swimming session at a park in Hetton-le-Hole.

Police were called to Hetton Lyons Country Park at around 11.30pm on Wednesday, May 31, after a 55-year-old man failed to return home.

Officers joined firefighters and a police helicopter in searching for the missing man before a body was tragically discovered in the water.

An investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding his death and police remain in the area.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "At around 11.30pm last night (Wednesday) we received a report of concern for the welfare of a 55-year-old man, who had not returned home from an open water swimming session in Hetton Lyons Park.

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Police were called to Hetton Lyons Country Park at around 11.30pm - file image (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"Police attended the area, and assisted by colleagues from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) carried out a full and thorough search of the area.

"Sadly those searches led to the discovery of the body of a man. His family have since been notified and are currently being supported by specialist officers.

“An investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death are ongoing and police officers remain in the area at this time.”

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) confirmed they assisted in the search and said their thoughts are with the man's family.

A fire service spokesman said: “We can confirm we supported a multi-agency search for a missing person at Hetton Lyons Park in the early hours of this morning. Our search and rescue team was deployed to the location and sadly the body of a man was later recovered from the water.

"The thoughts of everyone at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service are with the family and friends of the man in question.”

Sophie Brownson