South Shields police incident LIVE: Emergency services on scene after van goes over cliff in Marsden
Northumbria Police has released a statement after a van went over a cliff in South Shields speaking a huge emergency response.
Officers remain on the scene in the Marsden area after the incident, which took place at 6am this morning.
A report of 'concern for welfare' was made to police, who descended on the area alongside the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, the North East Ambulance Service, the Tynemouth RNLI, and the HM Coastguard.
Officers could be seen gathered on the cliffside in photographs taken at the scene, just off the A183 Coast Road.
The force has confirmed that the van 'went over the cliffs on to the beach below', and that enquiries remain ongoing.