Woman, 20, dies while kayaking on River Tees at Barnard Castle

Police found the body of a 20-year-old canoeist “in distress” in the River Tees on Saturday.

Durham Police were called to concerns about a woman in the water at Barnard Castle just before 2pm.

A major search and rescue operation was launched with the participation of emergency services, the Coast Guard and the search and mountain rescue team.

Officers said the woman’s body was found just after 4pm on Saturday.

The woman is understood to have been canoeing on the River Tees at Barnard Castle in County Durham, north-east England.

In a statement, Durham Police said: “We are sorry to report that a body was found in the River Tees at Barnard Castle this afternoon.

“We were called just before 2pm to concerns about a kayaker who was in distress on the river.

“A number of emergency services attended the search, including Durham County and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, North East Ambulance Service, Great Northern Air Ambulance Service, Coastguard and Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team but unfortunately the body of a 20-year-old woman was found just after 4pm.

“His family has been informed and is being supported by specialist officers.”