The teenagers were airlifted to hospital

At one point some of the teenagers tried to form a human chain so stranded members of the party could reach the shore at Druridge Bay, near Amble.

There were 12 teenagers and one teacher in the party, eight of whom were airlifted by helicopter to Wansbeck General Hospital in Ashington.

The pupils, aged between 13 to 17, from Walker Technology College in Newcastle, are all said by the city council to be "safe".

One 13-year-old girl has been transferred to Newcastle General Hospital after swallowing water.

Her condition is "comfortable" and she is expected to leave hospital on Friday.

Parents contacted

A Newcastle City Council spokesman said: "One pupil remains in hospital for precautionary observation.

"The school has contacted parents of the youngsters involved and is currently liaising with emergency services and medical staff."

Newcastle City Council is now investigating the cause of the alarm.

It is believed the youngsters had been on the beach before some of the group had entered the water.

The rescue followed the death, less than 24-hours earlier, of a five-year-old boy a few miles away in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

Human chain

The rescue came after the coastguard received an emergency call from a mobile telephone, thought to be from the leader of an educational group in the area.

All were taken to Wansbeck Hospital, in nearby Ashington by an RAF helicopter.

A spokesman for the coastguard said the group was part of a college party and that some of the teenagers had got into difficulty in the sea.

He said others had formed a human chain to try and get them out and that the rescue was hampered by poor visibility.

A lifeboat crew was also scrambled to assist in the rescue.