A MAN who sparked a £20,000 rescue mission when his van was stranded in a river has been charged with dangerous driving.
Scott Robert Ewing, 25, denied the charge when he appeared before South Durham Magistrates yesterday.
Mr Ewing, from Lynthorpe, Ryhope, Sunderland, was rescued by an RAF helicopter along with a colleague after they tried to cross the River Wear at Stanhope Ford, in County Durham, in January. The case was adjourned until June 23.
More than 20 rescuers helped after the van was dragged from the causeway by the current.
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