A man has died, and another left in a serious condition, after they got into difficulty in the sea off North Tyneside, police said.
Emergency services were called to Cullercoats beach around 6.30pm on Sunday, Northumbria Police said.
They were pulled out of the water after a rescue operation was launched, but one of them, aged in his 20s, died at the scene.
The second man, also in his 20s, was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition, the force said.
Both men's next of kin have been informed and are being supported, police added.
Chief Inspector Simon Wotton said: "This is an absolutely tragic incident, and the thoughts of everyone here at Northumbria Police are with anyone affected by this incident.
"We'd like to thank our partner agencies who were there working alongside police last night, and I am sure they are just as saddened by this outcome as we are.
"We know this will be a greatly shocking and distressing incident for those involved and for the local community, but we'd ask the public to respect the privacy of anyone who may have been affected."
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There have been several open water deaths this summer during successive heatwaves.
During the hottest May on record, at least 15 people, mostly children, drowned while swimming, and there have been warnings about the dangers of cold water shock.
Two men died after going into the water in a rescue attempt at Seaton Carew beach, Hartlepool, on 12 July. They had been trying to help two children who had got into difficulty, Cleveland Police said.
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