A 15-year-old girl who was swept into the sea by a large wave has died despite a rescue bid by a member of the public, police have said.
The girl was with a group of teenagers on the north pier at Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside, on Saturday evening when a large wave hit and she was washed into the sea, The Press Association reports.
Northumbria Police said officers were called to the scene at 7.44pm and described the sea as "running high".
In a statement before she died, the force said the Coastguard and the RNLI were called and a member of the public rescued the 15-year-old from the south side of the bay.
Cullercoats Bay
On Sunday morning, the force said she died in Cramlington hospital.
Her friends, a girl of 15, and a boy and girl both aged 14, had managed to get away safely. They were taken to hospital as a precaution after being soaked, but were unharmed.
Before the girl died, Chief Inspector Paul Knox said: "We need to remind people of the danger of the sea, particularly in the dark and cold at this time of year, when tides are high and people can be taken unawares by the strength of the waves and the inherent dangers of the sea.
"People should always be careful around water and if the sea is looking rough with waves pounding onto the pier, we would advise people to be particularly cautious and keep their distance."
Anyone with information about the incident should call 101.