Two families had to be rescued by helicopter after becoming marooned in the River Tees.
The group of eight were in two boats when they got into difficulties in the fast-flowing water near Dalton-on-Tees.
The six children were moved into one of the boats while the two fathers stood in a shallow area holding on to it, but were unable to move to the bank.
Emergency services were called and a rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer eventually winched them all to safety.
Durham Police officers and crews from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue and North Yorkshire Fire Brigade attended the scene but the speed of the river meant that a rescue boat could not be launched.
The group, which was made up of a Darlington family and another visiting from the south of England, was taken to hospital for treatment for mild hypothermia.
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