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Two bodies found in search for missing kayakers Two bodies found in search for missing kayakers
(about 1 hour later)
Two bodies have been recovered as part of a search and rescue operation after three kayakers went missing in the river Tyne, in Northumberland, police say. Two bodies have been recovered as part of a search and rescue operation after three kayakers went missing in the river Tyne in Northumberland, police say.
Emergency services were joined by the RAF and the coastguard as they searched the river near Riding Mill after receiving a call at 11pm on Sunday saying the trio had failed to return home. The RAF and the coastguard joined the emergency services as they searched the river near Riding Mill after receiving a call at 11pm on Sunday saying the trio had failed to return home.
At just after 5.10am on Monday, a body was recovered from the river by a Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer, and just before 6.20am a second body was found in the Corbridge area of the river. A Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer recovered a body from the river at just after 5.10am on Monday, and just before 6.20am a second body was found in the Corbridge area.
One of the missing men's vehicles was found at Tyne Green, near Hexham rowing club, just before 1.15am. A second vehicle was found a few hours later, at 4.10am, at Wylam railway station car park. One of the missing men's vehicles was found at Tyne Green, near Hexham rowing club, just before 1.15am. A second vehicle was found at 4.10am in Wylam railway station car park.
Two kayaks have been recovered from the group, who were from the South Shields area of South Tyneside.Two kayaks have been recovered from the group, who were from the South Shields area of South Tyneside.
Superintendent Steve Howes, from Northumberland area command, said: "Our searches of the area are continuing today with assistance from the HM Coastguard and RAF Boulmer. Anyone who sees anything or has any information they think would assist with our searches should contact us." Supt Steve Howes of Northumberland police said: "Our searches of the area are continuing today with assistance from the HM Coastguard and RAF Boulmer. Anyone who sees anything or has any information they think would assist with our searches should contact us."
Formal identification of the bodies has yet to take place.Formal identification of the bodies has yet to take place.
Police said the kayakers had planned their trip and knew that stretch of the river. But the conditions on the Tyne were "challenging" after heavy rain over the weekend, said Ch Supt Gordon Milward. The kayakers had planned their trip and knew the stretch of the river, but the conditions on the Tyne were challenging, Ch Supt Gordon Milward said.
The Northumberland commander said: "The weather was unpredictable, in terms of some very heavy showers, and the river was higher than usual and fast-flowing. They would be challenging conditions for anybody who decided to go into the water." "The weather was unpredictable, in terms of some very heavy showers, and the river was higher than usual and fast-flowing," he said. "They would be challenging conditions for anybody who decided to go into the water."
He said a large number of specialists were looking for the third kayaker. "There is a considerable length of the river we need to search," he said. "We need to do so speedily, properly and thoroughly and make sure no nook and cranny is missed. It's about that balance between speed and thoroughness." He said a large number of specialists were looking for the third kayaker. "There is a considerable length of the river we need to search. We need to do so speedily, properly and thoroughly and make sure no nook and cranny is missed. It's about that balance between speed and thoroughness."
The police's marine unit, other emergency service personnel and the RAF have been joined by specialists from Northumberland search and rescue. "There is a huge number of specialists involved and it is all about bringing their expertise to try to resolve this inquiry as quickly as possible," Milward said.