Tragedy as man, 20, dies after 'getting into difficulty' in river Tees at Gainford
A body has been pulled from the River Tees after a 20-year-old man got into difficulty in the water on Friday afternoon, police said.
It is thought the man entered the water in Gainford, County Durham when he got into difficulty, sparking a huge emergency response.
The air ambulance, mountain rescue crews, police helicopter, paramedics and fire crews all rushed to the rural village at about 2.30pm on Friday (June 20) as a major search operation got underway.
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
(Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Police confirmed a body was found in the river later on Friday evening. Identification has not taken place but the man's family has been informed.
Durham Police said in a statement: 'We're sorry to report that a body has been found in the river at Gainford this evening.
'It is believed a 20-year-old man had entered the water this afternoon and got into difficulty.
The River Tees downstream at Piercebridge. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) 'Formal identification has yet to take place but the man's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
'We would like to thank all our emergency services partners for their assistance.'
It came one of the hottest days of the year so far as the region baked in a summer heatwave.
Read next:
Latest pictures after river incident sparks major emergency service response
What we know so far as major emergency response underway after river incident
Emergency crews swarm County Durham village amid fear for man in river
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The air ambulance at the scene. (Image: GNAAS) The police helicopter was seen circling over land near the Tees earlier with the air ambulance also coming in to land.
Police cordoned off an area where ambulance incident response teams and the fire service water unit parked up, blocking access to the river banks.
Drones were seen in the air as part of the search with rescue workers using dogs in the area.
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