THREE teenagers suffering from hypothermia and shock were airlifted to safety yesterday after they became stranded on an island in a notorious stretch of water.

The youngsters, aged 13, 14 and 15, were trapped after they waded to the island in the River Tees, between Broken Scar and Cleasby Deeps in Darlington, to go fishing.

The river rose quickly after heavy rain and the boys could not get back to the bank because of the powerful current.

The youngsters, who were extremely distressed, managed to attract the attention of a passer-by who raised the alarm.

A full-scale operation was mounted to rescue the stranded teenagers and within three minutes of being alerted, the Great North Air Ambulance, based at Teesside Airport, was at the scene.

A fire crew from Darlington, a paramedic vehicle from Barnard Castle and the Durham Constabulary air support unit also attended.

Station officer at the Great North Air Ambulance, Matty Ward, said: "We were not sure where the boys were so we followed the river until we found them on the island.

"The kids had crossed the river while the water was low but, because of the high rainfall the river filled up quickly, and they could not get back.

"The fire service was already in attendance when we arrived but they could not rescue the lads.

"It was particularly difficult landing on the island. One of the skids of the helicopter was on the island, the other in the water. The lads were very cold and distressed. They had been there for a while and were not dressed for the occasion.

" One lad was just wearing a football shirt. They were very lucky. They could have died."

The youngsters were airlifted from the island and taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for treatment. The entire rescue operation took just ten minutes.

The stretch of river where the boys were stranded has been the scene of a number of tragedies in recent years.

In August 2000, Christopher Glen, 15, drowned after he was sucked under by strong currents.