Police pull body of boy, 13, from River Wear after search as officers rule out death as suspicious

The body of a teenage boy, believed to be aged 13, was found in the River Wear near Bishop Auckland this morning, Durham Police said.

A spokesperson for the force said a search operation had been launched last night following reports that a person had gone into the river near Toronto Bridge.

They confirmed that the body of a teenager was found in the river today. Police are not treating the death as suspicious, they added.

A Durham Police spokesperson said:  ‘We are sorry to report a body has been found in the River Wear near Bishop Auckland. 

‘A multi-agency search operation was launched last night following reports that a person had gone into the river near Toronto Bridge. 

‘Sadly, the body of a teenager was found in the river this morning.’

They said that formal identification has yet to take place, but that the boy’s family have been informed, adding ‘our thought are with them at this tragic time’. 

Dehenna Davison, Tory MP for Bishop Auckland, said: ‘I’m devastated to hear the news that a body was found in the Wear this morning. To lose a loved one is agonising, and my thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends.

‘My sincere thanks go to all the agencies involved in the search, including the local police, mountain rescue, and the coastguard. 

‘Their work is outstanding, especially in such difficult conditions. 

‘My thoughts also go out to the individuals who took part in the search, who I know will have had an emotional stake in it. Myself and my team will be there to offer support to anyone affected by this sad news.’