Humberside Police in Hull, Northern England, launched an urgent search for two men who fled into the River Hull after a short vehicle pursuit on Friday, December 5, 2025, around 8:30 p.m. local time.​
Officers attempted a routine stop for a defective rear light, but the car failed to pull over, crashed into a wall on Charlotte Street, and the men escaped on foot into the river nearby. Extensive operations involving patrol officers, the Coastguard, Humberside Fire and Rescue, and a specialist underwater search team were immediately underway, with an increased police presence expected in the area.​
Detective Inspector Andy Crawforth expressed extreme concern for the men’s welfare and appealed for public help, including from those who might know missing individuals or have CCTV/doorbell footage from that evening (quote log 461 of December 5). By December 8, Humberside Police had self-referred the pursuit to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for review, while searches continued without reported recoveries.​
The incident near North Bridge, close to local businesses and a college, underscores risks of fleeing police and the challenges of water rescues in urban rivers. No further updates on the men’s identities or locations were available as of the latest reports.​
