Three teenagers are feared to be in a car that entered the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland, prompting a major rescue operation. The vehicle careered out of control and entered the water, with police urging the public to avoid the area.
It is understood that 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 passerby. 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."
Emergency response
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. Pictures from the scene show emergency services lining the riverbank, where a section of metal railing has been damaged.
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard confirmed it responded to reports of a vehicle in the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge. It added: "Coastguard Rescue Teams from Sunderland and Seaham were sent, as well as an HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter, RNLI lifeboats from Sunderland and Cullercoats, North East Ambulance Service and Northumbria Police. The incident is ongoing."
Statements from services
Northumbria Police said it received a report of a car going into the River Wear shortly before 1.30pm. A 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."
Further assistance
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service confirmed: "Earlier this afternoon (Tuesday 29 September), 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 Great North Air Ambulance Service said: "Our critical care team was activated at 1.35pm to an incident on the River Wear, near Monkwearmouth Bridge in Sunderland. We had a doctor and paramedic on board our aircraft and they arrived on scene at 1.53pm." Monkwearmouth Bridge is adjacent to Wearmouth Bridge. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said she is "aware of the serious incident" on the River Wear, adding: "Rescue teams are at the scene and right now we must hope and pray for those involved."
