A major search is under way on the River Wear in Sunderland after a car entered the water. A large emergency services presence remains near Wearmouth Bridge, on the riverbank.
Northumbria Police, the North East Ambulance Service, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, the Great North Air Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard and the RNLI are all at the scene. More 999 services have been arriving since the incident was first reported just before 1.30pm.
Air ambulance and lifeboat volunteers at the scene
An air ambulance landed nearby, while lifeboat volunteers have been seen searching the river on boats. It is currently unknown if anyone was in the car when it entered the water.
A police cordon is in place and has been extended, with the public urged to avoid the area at this time. Wearmouth Bridge remains open to traffic as usual.
Statements from emergency services
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Shortly before 1.30pm today (Tuesday), 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."
The North East Ambulance Service said: "We received a call to 999 at 1.23pm today (Tuesday 29 September 2026) to reports of an incident involving a car entering the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland. We sent to the scene an emergency ambulance, a clinical team leader, three officers, air ambulance and the full Hazardous Area Response Team (HART). We are working closely with the coastguard and the police, and we remain on scene at this time."
Fire service assisting with rescue efforts
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: "We can confirm that earlier this afternoon, two fire appliances, the 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."
