Emergency services, including a police helicopter, mounted a search for a swimmer who was swept away in a North East river on Sunday (July 17).

Police officers in several patrol vehicles converged on Ovingham Bridge, near Ovingham, Northumberland, following reports that someone had got into difficulty in the River Tyne.

One witness told The Northern Echo: “I was close by when I heard the helicopter hovering above.

“I went to see what was happening and saw several police cars at Ovingham Bridge.

“There was a police helicopter hovering above the river downstream.

“I understand there were two people swimming under the bridge and one of them, a male, has got into difficulty and was swept away.

“They are looking for him. There is a specialist search unit here. I also saw an ambulance coming as I drove away from away from the scene.”

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 4.15pm today (Sunday) police received a report of concern for the welfare of a male who was seen in the river near to Ovingham in Northumberland.  

“Emergency services were deployed to the area and remain at the scene to locate the male and bring him to safety.

"There is a large multi-agency presence in the area and we would ask the public to not to gather where possible to allow for those at scene to carry out their duties.

“Anyone with information which could assist is asked to get in touch with police via 101 quoting reference NP-20220717-0819.”

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