Police have recovered the body of a 20-year-old woman from the River Tees near Barnard Castle, following an extensive search operation by emergency services on Saturday afternoon.
The young woman was said to have "got into difficulty" in the water while kayaking, prompting a major response including coastguards and Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team.
Her body was pulled from the river following a two-hour search effort that began shortly before 2pm.
The recovery operation concluded just after 4pm, bringing the tragic incident to a close.
Durham Police confirmed the woman's family has been notified of her death, with specialist officers now providing support with their bereavement.
Emergency services were alerted on Saturday afternoon to reports of a person experiencing difficulties in the water near the Lartington area.
The North East Ambulance Service spokesman stated: "We received a call at 1.50pm on Saturday, November 15, to reports of a person in water in the Lartington area of Barnard Castle."
As time went on, multiple agencies flocked to the location, close to Lartington Lane in Barnard Castle, to aid in the operation.
The young woman 'got into difficulty' in the water while kayaking
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County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service joined Durham Police at the scene.
North East Ambulance Service dispatched two ambulance crews, a clinical team leader, a duty officer, and three specialist Hazardous Area Response Teams.
The Great North Air Ambulance Service deployed both road vehicles and a helicopter.
Both the Coastguard and the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team lent specialist support for the river search.
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Multiple emergency service agencies took part in the search on Saturday
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A Durham Constabulary spokesman confirmed: "We were called to reports of concern for a kayaker who had got into difficulty in the river just before 2pm.
"Multiple emergency services were involved in the search, but sadly, the body of a 20-year-old woman was recovered just after 4pm.
"Her family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers," the force’s spokesman added.
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