This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/tyne/7101066.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Search for missing water bikers Sea search turns to theft probe
(about 8 hours later)
Four people on water bikes have gone missing after being spotted getting into difficulty in the North Sea. A search prompted by reports of two water bikers encountering problems in the North Sea has been called off.
They were seen on two water bikes behind the South Tyne pier close to South Shields beach. Three lifeboats and a helicopter were scrambled after the pair were spotted behind the South Tyne pier close to South Shields beach.
One water bike has since been found abandoned on the shore and another was reportedly seen heading upriver. One water bike was subsequently found abandoned on the shore and another was reportedly seen heading upriver.
Three lifeboats, along with a police helicopter, were launched from Tynemouth at 1830 GMT but the sea search was called off an hour later. Police say they now believe the machines were stolen and have launched an investigation.
Northumbria Police are continuing their shore-based enquiries. The lifeboats, along with the police helicopter, were launched from Tynemouth at 1830 GMT but the sea search was called off an hour later.
'Thorough search'
A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said the force had initially received reports of four people missing, but now believed only two men were involved.
She said: "An area search was made and no one recovered. A witness said they had seen both witnesses make off on one jetski and leave one behind.
"At the moment we are not looking for anyone missing. There is the possibility the jetski was stolen."
An RNLI spokesman said: "When our inshore lifeboat arrived at the scene the surf was too strong to carry out an effective search so our all weather lifeboat was launched.An RNLI spokesman said: "When our inshore lifeboat arrived at the scene the surf was too strong to carry out an effective search so our all weather lifeboat was launched.
"We always take reports of people in difficulty very seriously so a thorough search of the area was carried out by the three lifeboats, but it seem as if everyone on the jetskis had left the area, abandoning one jetski." "We always take reports of people in difficulty very seriously so a thorough search of the area was carried out by the three lifeboats."