Man rescued from river after fall

A man who fell into the River Tyne in Newcastle has been pulled to safety by firefighters.

He fell when a barrier gave way in the Forth Banks area on Monday evening, said Northumbria Police.

Newcastle City Council, which has responsibility for the railings, said it was carrying out an inspection on all bollards and railings in the area.

The man was taken to Newcastle General Hospital for treatment and later returned home.

Four fire engines and the fire and rescue boat were called to the scene.

A spokesman for Newcastle city council, said: "Engineers are still carrying out an inspection.

"We have ordered all bollards and top rails to be checked along the full length of the quayside from the Redheugh Bridge to Spiller's Yard."

Previously the council had said if any corrosion of the railings had taken place it would have been noticed and the railings replaced.