Youth died in 'cliff jump craze'

Floral tributes to Jamie Sutton have been left at the cliffs

A teenager who died after being pulled from the sea off South Tyneside had been taking part in a cliff jumping craze called tombstoning, police say.

Jamie Sutton, 17, of Rose Crescent in Whitburn died in hospital after jumping into the sea near Souter Lighthouse near South Shields on Wednesday.

It is though the teenager had been in the water for 20 minutes when he was pulled out by rescue crews.

Lifeboat officials warned people that the sea in the area was treacherous.

A police investigations into the incident is continuing.

On Thursday, family friends placed floral tributes at the scene of the tragedy.

Paul Nicholson of Sunderland RNLI said: "It is very difficult from the top of a cliff to tell how deep the water is or what hazards lay underneath.

"When the tide is high the rocks are covered and with the strong currents it is very easy to be dragged out to sea."

Ch Insp Kevin Wellden of Northumbria Police added, said: "We cannot advise strongly enough against people going into the sea at this location.

"It is very difficult to judge the sea conditions as well as the depth of the water.

"We would urge any parents to make sure their children are aware of the dangers."