Major emergency service operation after car goes into River Wear
A major emergency services operation was under way after a car went into the River Wear in Sunderland.
Rescue teams were searching the water near Wearmouth Bridge after the car went into the river on Tuesday.
Police, ambulance crews, the RNLI and Coastguard were on the scene.
The emergency services continued to search the river on Tuesday evening despite fog making visibility difficult on the water.
The search has centred on an area around Panns Bank, on the Wear’s southern bank.
The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have dispatched two fire engines and a fire boat to assist with the rescue operation.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 1.30pm today, we received a report of a car entering the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland.
“Emergency services are currently at the scene.
“We would ask members of the public to avoid the area.”
A man, who did not wish to be identified, told the Press Association he heard a bang and a sound like a very large rock hitting water, followed shortly by sirens.
Kim McGuinness, the Labour North East Mayor, said: “I’m aware of the serious incident on the River Wear today after a car entered the water in Sunderland.
“Rescue teams are at the scene and right now we must hope and pray for those involved.
“I’ve asked the incident commander to keep me updated as we let the emergency services do their work.”
Lewis Atkinson, Labour MP for Sunderland Central, said on X: “I’m aware of the serious incident in the Wear this afternoon.
“My thoughts are with everyone involved and their families, and with the emergency services responding to the scene.”
A TWFRS spokesperson said: “We can confirm that earlier this afternoon, two fire appliances, the TWFRS fire boat and a number of officers were dispatched to an ongoing incident on the River Wear, near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland.
“Our dedicated teams are assisting blue light colleagues with the ongoing rescue efforts.”
The RNLI have confirmed that crews from Cullercoats and Sunderland are in attendance.
Published: by Radio NewsHub