A SEARCH for two teenagers who jumped into water from a North-East bridge has sparked fresh safety warnings.

A boy and girl were spotted jumping from New Lumley Bridge at Chester-le-Street into the River Wear at 9.15pm on Thursday evening by an off-duty firefighter.

As the couple were not seen leaving the water a search involving three fire appliances, fire service swift water rescue boats, police and ambulance was carried out until 10.30pm.

News that members of Chester-le-Street rowing club, who were finishing their training session at the time, had noticed two teenagers getting out of the River Wear as well as footprints found by the rescue teams on the banks of the river halted the search.

Senior fire safety officer Peter McDermott, of County Durham Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Jumping into the river here is an extremely dangerous thing to do.

“The water in this area is not deep enough in all sections and there is a real danger that someone could hit the bottom and end up with life-changing injuries.”

The fire service is supporting the Royal Life Saving Society’s annual Drowning Prevention Campaign, which will run from June 18-26.

A number of water safety events have been planned, including a public information session at Hardwick Park at Sedgefield Sunday June 19 and Tuesday June 21, from 10am to 3pm both days.

Water safety demonstrations as well as public information sessions will be held at Broken Scar recreational area on the banks of the River Tees in Darlington on June 18, 19 20 and 22.

A water safety dog walk, led by Scrappy the fire dog, is on Sunday 26 June at Chester-le-Street Riverside Park, from 10am.

Mr McDermott said: “The consequences of a jump that takes a few seconds can be devastating.”