Emergency services launched a search after reports that a car had gone through a barrier and entered the River Wear in Sunderland at about 1.30pm. The incident is near Wearmouth Bridge, and it is not known whether anyone was in the vehicle.

Coastguard and RNLI crews are searching the water with rescue boats, poles and a helicopter, while police, fire and ambulance teams are at the scene. The ambulance service said it sent an emergency ambulance, a clinical team leader, three officers, an air ambulance and its Hazardous Area Response Team; police have asked people to avoid the area.