A major search operation is under way for three teenagers believed to have been inside a car that plunged into the River Wear in Sunderland. The vehicle entered the water shortly before 1.30pm this afternoon after careering out of control.
Northumbria Police have urged the public to avoid the area as a huge rescue operation is under way. It is understood four people were in the vehicle when it got into trouble. The driver managed to jump out as it entered the water and was rescued by a passer-by.
Rescue teams at the scene
One local resident wrote online: "The driver got out. My stepdad helped him out of the water. But there were three in the car. They have been in the water for over two hours now."
The search and rescue response includes an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter, the Great North Air Ambulance Service and the North East Ambulance Service's full Hazardous Area Response Team.
Emergency services respond
In a statement, a spokesperson for 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."
The Great North Air Ambulance also confirmed it had sent a critical care team to the scene. "We had a doctor and paramedic on board our aircraft and they arrived on scene at 1.53pm", a spokesperson said.
Public urged to avoid area
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has said she is "aware of the serious incident" on the River Wear today. She said in a social media post: "Rescue teams are at the scene and right now we must hope and pray for those involved."
Pictures from the scene show emergency services lining the riverbank, where a section of metal railing is damaged.
