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.
