A van has plunged off a cliff in a popular UK seaside town and onto the beach below, sparking a huge emergency services response. The incident occured at around 6am this morning in South Shields, Tyne and Wear.

Police have said a report of 'concern for welfare' was made to them. Officers rushed to the area, alongside the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, the North East Ambulance Service, the Tynemouth RNLI, and the HM Coastguard.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “Emergency services attended the scene and following a search involving multiple partner agencies, the body of a man in his 20s was sadly found. The man’s next of kin have been informed."

Officers remain on the scene in the Marsden area after the incident.

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