A major emergency response is under way after a car entered the River Wear in Sunderland. Officers were called shortly before 1.30pm today to a report of a car entering the river near Wearmouth Bridge.
Police, firefighters, coastguard, paramedics and the air ambulance are at the scene, and members of the public are being asked to avoid the area. Pictures show boats working at the scene and a large number of emergency vehicles parked near Panns Bank.
Emergency services respond
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 also confirmed its involvement. A spokesperson 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."
Ongoing incident
The air ambulance was sent to the scene, according to the ambulance service. Emergency services remain at the scene, and the public has been advised to avoid the area while the incident continues.
