Van goes over cliff near beach in South Shields as major police incident declared

Police and emergency services rushed to the incident in South Shields

10:58, 13 May 2026

Police rushed to the scene this morning(Image: ChronicleLive)

A van has plunged off a cliff edge beside a well-known UK beach this morning (Wednesday).

Emergency services scrambled to the scene in South Shields, near the coastline at Marsden. Images captured Northumbria Police officers at the clifftop in the Marsden area, where a significant emergency presence has assembled, reports Chronicle Live[2].

The first reports came in at approximately 6.30am, with Tynemouth RNLI and HM Coastguard among the first to arrive.

They were subsequently joined by Northumbria Police, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, and the North East Ambulance Service.

A spokesperson[3] for Tynemouth RNLI said: "We can confirm the Tynemouth RNLI launched this morning to a multi-agency call."

An incident in South Shields has seen the emergency services descend on the coastline at Marsden(Image: ChronicleLive)

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called to the Marsden area at 6.10am following concerns for a person.

We dispatched a clinical team leader and one ambulance crew."

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "At 6am today (Wednesday), we received a report of a concern for welfare near the A183 Coast Road in South Shields."

"Emergency[4] services are in attendance and enquiries are ongoing."

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References

1. ^ Kirstie McCrum (www.walesonline.co.uk)
2. ^ reports Chronicle Live (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
3. ^ spokesperson (www.walesonline.co.uk)
4. ^ Emergency (www.walesonline.co.uk)
5. ^ Click here to activate (www.google.com)