A man who fell from the Tyne Bridge earlier this evening has died.

Emergency services responded at 7pm after the man was seen standing on the highest point of the landmark bridge - some 194ft above the river.

At around 7.35pm he fell from the bridge but was rescued from the Tyne and was taken to hospital.

Tonight a spokesman for Northumbria Police said that the man, who has not yet been formally identified, had died as a result of his injuries suffered in the fall.

Next of kin are being informed.

The road over the bridge, which links Gateshead and Newcastle, was closed to traffic for about an hour.