COASTGUARDS have told of the five-hour mission to find a boy who was killed after going into the sea at Skegness in Lincolnshire.

The 13-year-old boy, who Lincolnshire Police said was from Hereford, was reported missing at around 6.15pm on Saturday evening and a lengthy search with boats and helicopters was launched.

But at around 11.30pm, more than five hours later, police said the boy's body was recovered.

HM Coastguard Yorkshire and Lincolnshire said crew members' hearts were heavy and their thoughts were with the family and friends of the teenager who died at Skegness on Saturday night.

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"Sometimes, despite all our best efforts, not everyone is rescued and it hurts our hearts," the Coastguard said.

"It’s why we do what we do day after day. It’s what drives us to keep on searching and to keep responding when things go wrong at the coast."

A spokesperson said crew members searched for hours with fellow coastguards, the RNLI and the police to find the teenager after he was reported missing.

"Although he was found, it was sadly a tragic outcome and we have no words other than to offer our heartfelt condolences to those who are grieving the loss of someone they loved so very much," they added.

Skegness mayor Tony Tye told Lincolnshire Live: "This really is very, very sad.

"It is sad for the whole of the town that someone had been lost to the sea.

"People come to Skegness for fun and to have a good time and so this boy's death is even more tragic."

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LIVES, which stands for Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service, is a charity that responds to 999 medical emergencies.

It was among the emergency response to the missing boy on Saturday.

It said a doctor and paramedic were sent to the scene, along with East Midlands Ambulance Service, the Coastguard and RNLI.

A spokesperson said: "An incredibly sad outcome to this emergency and our deepest condolences go to his family and everyone affected by this tragedy."

The boy has not yet been named by police, but Superintendent Lee Pache said: “We received a high volume of calls for missing people on the coast yesterday (Saturday).

"At one point, within two hours, we received 10 calls. All of those who were reported missing, other than the child who sadly died, were located safe and well. Our thoughts are with the boy’s family.”