Woman tells of fatal swim rescue

A woman has told how she desperately tried to save her friend who died after getting into difficulties swimming off the Northumberland coast.

Andrew McKillup, 40, of Wickham, suffered breathing difficulties at Lady's Hole, 250 yards (229m) from the coast of Beadnell on Tuesday night.

His swimming partner Eileen Armstrong attempted to keep him afloat but he was taken out of her arms by a swell.

He was rescued by lifeboat crew but later declared dead at hospital.

Ms Armstrong said: "We were swimming about 250 yards from the shore in wetsuits when Andrew, got into difficulty breathing.

'Experienced swimmer'

"I held his head above water while shouting and and waving an arm at people on the shore.

"A swell took him out of my arms, I would never have left my friend. He was an irreplaceable, life-affirming man "

She said an off-duty lifeguard swam out to her, while lifeboat crews went to Mr McKillup's aid.

The victim, an experienced swimmer and diver, was then airlifted to hospital.

John Hanvey, of Seahouses RNLI, said: "The crew were able to locate the man pretty quickly.

"Everyone did everything they could to try to save him and on behalf of everyone at Seahouses lifeboat station, I would like to extend our sympathy to the man's family and friends."

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A swimmer has died off the Northumberland coast despite the efforts of lifeboat teams