Owners of the kayaks can reclaim them by contacting police at Richmond

Owners of the kayaks can reclaim them by contacting police at Richmond

Police have appealed to paddlers to let them know if they have to abandon their kayaks.

The plea came after the discovery of two kayaks this morning sparked a search on the River Tees.

Police were called to Piercebridge, west of Darlington, just before 8.40am after reports an upturned canoe had been seen in the river.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “The scene was attended by all three emergency services with the support of local mountain rescue teams.

“Following a search of the area a second canoe was located. Officers from the fire and rescue service established that no-one was trapped in the canoes or in difficulty in the river.

“It is believed that the canoes had been in the river for several days, having been left by canoeists who were unable to recover them from the water.”

The kayaks were taken from the water and are being stored in a safe place.

Inspector Mark Gee, of Richmond safer neighbourhood team, said: “I would like to thank colleagues in the emergency services and mountain rescue for their assistance with this incident.

“I would ask that canoeists who are unable to recover their canoes from the water inform the police so we can deal appropriately with reports of abandoned boats.

“Anyone who finds an abandoned boat should leave it where it is and report it to the police immediately so that we can ensure that nobody is in danger, and that they do not put themselves at risk trying to recover the boat.

“If you are the owner of either of the canoes we have recovered please contact Richmond police.”

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