TWO men had to be winched to safety by an RAF helicopter when their work van was stranded in the raging River Wear on Monday afternoon.

The men were trapped in their delivery van for an hour and a half after trying to cross the river at Stanhope ford in Weardale.

In a dramatic rescue operation, the pair were airlifted from the flooded white Mercedes van by RAF Boulmer's search and rescue helicopter.

The driver called 999 on his mobile telephone when the van was dragged off the causeway by the strong current, swollen by melting snow, and was resting partly on the river bed.

More than 20 rescuers were sent to the scene but firefighters were unable to reach the vehicle, so had to wait for RAF and police aircraft to arrive.

Station officer Keith Wanley spoke to the pair on mobile telephone throughout the rescue operation.

He said: "We used a rocket line to set up a safety rope in case the van or men were swept down river so there was something to grab.

"I told them what was happening and tried to keep them calm.

"Physically they were perfectly okay, but understandably shaky and nervous. It was too dangerous to wade in, because of the wind and strong current we could have been washed away.

"The rescue boat was on route when the helicopter arrived and was able to reach the van from above."

Sea King captain Flight Lieutenant Adam Thompson said the men had a lucky escape.

He said: "The strong wind, which was about 30 or 40 knots, combined with nearby trees and power cables made it quite difficult to manoeuvre.

"Fortunately we were able to lower the winchman down to lift the men through the van window, otherwise they would have been in a lot of trouble."

The driver, a 24-year-old man from Sunderland, then the passenger, 19, from Chester-le-Street, were lifted to safety on the river bank, where a paramedic crew was waiting.

The men, who were delivering a kitchen to a house in St John's Chapel, were shaken but uninjured.

A spokesman for Durham Police said the motorist was facing driving charges.