A driver had to be rescued from a van after veering into a river following a collision.
Emergency services were called to Westgate in Weardale shortly after 5pm on Tuesday following reports that a van had overturned in the river following the one vehicle collision.
Fire crews from Stanhope, Middleton-in-Teesdale along with Swift Water Rescue teams from Bishop Auckland & Durham, carried out the rescue in "challenging conditions".
The driver was then pulled from the vehicle and was uninjured, police say.
The vehicle has not yet been recovered due to the conditions and the road has been closed.
A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said: "At 5pm last night (19th Jan) our crews, from Bishop Auckland, Durham, Stanhope, and Middleton in Teesdale, along with our Swift Water Rescue teams were called to reports of a vehicle that had entered the water at Westgate.
"On arrival at the scene our crews worked quickly and used water rescue equipment, to rescue the occupant.
"In what was very challenging conditions, we are so very proud of the quick actions our crews took to ensure the driver of van was safely rescued."
A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: "Police were called to the River Wear at Westgate, Bishop Auckland shortly after 5pm last night (January 19) following reports of a one vehicle collision.
"It is believed the vehicle veered off the road following the collision and overturned in the river.
"Officers were joined at the scene by County Durham Fire and Rescue service and Ambulance.
"The driver was successfully rescued from the water and did not receive any injuries.
"Due to water levels, the vehicle will be recovered in due course and the road has been closed."
A number of flood alerts were in place on Tuesday and remain in place on Wednesday due to Storm Christoph.
Flood alert (be prepared)
