Huge search for two teenage boys in river

An extensive search operation is under way after two teenage boys got into difficulty in the River Tyne in Northumberland, police have said.

The youngsters went into the water near to Ovingham Bridge, Ovingham, on Saturday at about 15:30 BST.

Emergency services including ambulance, police and fire and rescue crews are currently at the scene.

"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," Northumbria Police said.

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) said its crews were called over "reports of concerns of two people in the water".

It said it had also called for support from the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service said it had deployed a number of senior officers, as well as two swift water rescue units from Pegswood.

"We are working with police, the ambulance service and mountain rescue at this time," a spokesperson added.

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