A TEENAGER is recovering after plunging more than 100 feet from a bridge.

In a dramatic early morning rescue, the 18-year-old girl was hauled to safety by police officers from the swirling waters of the Wear after she had been spotted falling from the Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland.

It was revealed that the young girl had been crossing the bridge just before 2am on Tuesday when she was seen by a passer-by falling from the east side of the bridge.

The witness called emergency services from a mobile phone describing how the girl had plunged into the water below the bridge.

As a result of the 999 call Sunderland Inshore Lifeboat, the Coastguard and Northumbria Police helicopter were all summoned to the incident, but police officers turned up at the scene before they had time to arrive.

Officers threw a rope to the girl who had been swept along underneath the towering railway bridge.

The teenager was able to grab the rope and was pulled to safety before the arrival of the three emergency services.

Inspector Steve Tallentire of Sunderland Area Command said: "When the police arrived she was in the water but they managed to find a rope to throw out to her.'' Dragged from the cold waters the girl was badly shaken but is understood to have only sustained slight neck and back injuries.

Paramedics who had also been alerted were swiftly on hand at the scene to give the teenager treatment before she was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital for a complete check-up.

Investigations are continuing into the circumstances and last night police appealed for anyone with any information to call 08456 043043 and ask to be connected to Gill Bridge Police Station.