Two coastguards on their way to help a stranded boat had to be rescued after the vehicle they were driving rolled 15 feet down a cliff in Northumberland.

It happened at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea on Sunday while the men were on their way to help the boat which was stuck on rocks with four people on board.

The coastguards' vehicle landed on its roof and they had to be cut free by a crew from an RAF Boulmer helicopter.

The men were hurt, but their injuries are not said to be life-threatening.

Meanwhile, a fishing boat was able to assist the stranded boat until it could be towed to safety by a RNLI crew.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "We received reports on Sunday morning of a cabin cruiser with three adults and a child on board which was in difficulties.

"A land and sea rescue was then launched and contact was made with a nearby fishing boat which was able to assist until the cabin cruiser was towed to safety.

"In the meantime two coastguards were travelling to the rescue by land and for reasons yet to be established their vehicle rolled over the cliffs and landed on its roof on the sand below.

"They suffered various injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening."

Hope they get well soon.

Not sure where that report came from but it was definatley not the Helicopter crew from Bulmer who cut them out of the vehicle, it was Northumberland Fire & Rescue. The chopper airlifted them to hospital!

Typical press!!

I know the lads personally and I wish them a speedy recovery.

Ill try and keep you all updated to as I find out more info!!

Get well soon lads

Two Coastguard Rescue Officers were taken to Wansbeck hospital after their vehicle rolled 20 foot down a grass bank, whilst attending an incident of a sinking cabin cruiser off Newbiggin Point.

Humber Coastguard had received a call at 8:30 a.m. from a fishing vessel 'Bona Venture' informing them they had seen a hand held red flare coming from a small cabin cruiser at Newbiggin Point, Northumberland.

The cabin cruiser was safely towed to a position of safety on the shoreline. It was during this incident that the Coastguard Rescue vehicle rolled over the grass bank15 - 20 feet, it is believed the vehicle rolled over twice. There were two Coastguard Rescue Officers in the vehicle, both were airlifted by a Rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer to Wansbeck hospital Northumberland.

The Coastguard rescue officers involved in this incident are Brian Hancox aged 46, and Mike Baister aged 47 and are both local from Newbiggin.

Both Brian and Mike are very experienced members of the Newbiggin team and have attended numerous incidents during their service with Her Majesty's Coastguard.

Both officers have now been released with no major injuries, both suffering from shock and bruising. They are now recovering at home.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are conducting a full investigation into this incident.