A major rescue operation took place after five people fell into the sea on the Essex coastline. 

The East of England Ambulance Service Trust received a call at 7.25pm on November 20 to Barge Pier, Shoebury, where a group of five people had fallen into the sea.

Two police officers from Essex Police were first at the scene and affected a rescue of the group.

The ambulance service worked together with Essex Police, RAF Search and Rescue and the Southend RNLI to retrieve all from the sea.

The trust sent an ambulance officer and two ambulances to the scene to treat two patients – one with a suspected head injury and one with a suspected arm injury.

Paramedics also treated another four patients with minor injuries and cold exposure.

All patients were taken to the Southend University Hospital for further care.