Elderly woman dies after entering river at Barnard Castle

Police, fire, ambulance, and mountain rescue crews were called to County Bridge on Saturday (December 6) after the woman was seen entering the river just after 11.35pm.

A major search was launched – but tragically, the woman was pronounced dead after being recovered from the water near the River View Leisure Park.

Durham Police has confirmed that her family have since been informed and her death is not being treated as suspicious. A file will now be prepared for the coroner.

The incident on Saturday evening sparked a large-scale emergency service response, with witnesses reporting seeing the 999 activity near Egglestone Abbey Bridge.

A video taken from the scene also showed a helicopter hovering above the River Tees around 12.30am, shining a torch down on the area. 

The North East Ambulance Service previously confirmed it sent several ambulances to the scene.

A full statement from police said: “Emergency services were called just after 11.35pm on Saturday (December 6) after an elderly woman was seen to enter the River Tees at County Bridge in Barnard Castle.

“Police, fire, ambulance, and a crew from Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team attended the area to search for the woman.

“Shortly after midnight, she was spotted downstream near River View Leisure Park and recovered from the water. Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Her family have been informed, and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. Her death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will now be prepared for the coroner. ”