Emergency services responded to reports of a car entering the River Wear in Sunderland on Tuesday afternoon (29 September). Northumbria Police arrived at the scene near Wearmouth Bridge at around 1.30pm and asked members of the public to avoid the area.
Police statement and response
A statement from the force read: "We are responding to a report of a car entering the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland. Emergency services are currently in attendance. We would ask members of the public to avoid the area."
The North East Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard, and the RNLI also had staff in the area. An air ambulance was sent to the scene, with a spokesperson saying "we had a doctor and paramedic on board our aircraft".
Coastguard and ambulance details
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: "At around 1.25pm this afternoon (Tuesday 29 September), HM Coastguard responded to reports of a vehicle in the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland.
"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."
The ambulance service said they sent an emergency vehicle, a clinical team leader, three officers, an air ambulance, and the full Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to the scene.
"We are working closely with the coastguard and the police, and we remain on scene at this time," a spokesperson added.
