Emergency services have recovered the body of a 20-year-old woman from the River Tees in Barnard Castle, County Durham, following reports of a kayaker in distress. The incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon, with emergency responders alerted around 2pm. Multiple agencies, including firefighters, paramedics, police, the coastguard, and a search and mountain rescue team, rushed to the scene to assist in the search. Tragically, the woman's body was found approximately two hours later, just after 4pm. Durham Constabulary confirmed the recovery and stated that specialist officers are now providing support to the woman's family. A spokesperson for the police said, "We’re sorry to report that a body has been recovered from the River Tees in Barnard Castle this afternoon." They added, "We were called to reports of concern for a kayaker who had got into difficulty in the river just before 2pm." The North East Ambulance Service also responded to the emergency, dispatching multiple crews, including a clinical team leader and members of their Hazardous Area Response Team (HART). A spokesperson for the ambulance service noted, "We received a call at 1.50pm on Saturday, November 15 to reports of a person in water in the Lartington area of Barnard Castle." In addition to the ambulance crews, support was requested from the Great North Air Ambulance Service and the mountain rescue team, who attended both by road and air. The incident has prompted an outpouring of condolences on social media, with many expressing their sadness and support for the family. One user wrote, "Condolences to her family and friends. Thoughts are with all emergency services involved," while another remarked, "Doing something they enjoyed, may they rest in peace. Condolences to the family." The community has been left in shock, with many reflecting on the tragedy of the situation. One individual shared, "I have paddled that River many times, my thoughts are with her family, friends, rescue service and those who she was sharing her day with, how tragic." The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing as authorities continue to support the grieving family.