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| Version 15 | Version 16 |
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| Canoeist killed in swollen river | Canoeist killed in swollen river |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| An experienced canoeist has died after becoming trapped against a tree in a swollen river on Dartmoor. | An experienced canoeist has died after becoming trapped against a tree in a swollen river on Dartmoor. |
| Chris Wheeler, 46, from Reading, Berkshire, was in a group kayaking on the River Dart, near Poundsgate, on Saturday afternoon. | Chris Wheeler, 46, from Reading, Berkshire, was in a group kayaking on the River Dart, near Poundsgate, on Saturday afternoon. |
| Two other people were treated for mild hypothermia, following a large-scale rescue operation. | Two other people were treated for mild hypothermia, following a large-scale rescue operation. |
| The stretch of river where the accident happened is known by canoeists as the "mad mile". | The stretch of river where the accident happened is known by canoeists as the "mad mile". |
| Fire, police, ambulance, Dartmoor Rescue and a Sea King helicopter from RMB Chivenor were involved. | Fire, police, ambulance, Dartmoor Rescue and a Sea King helicopter from RMB Chivenor were involved. |
| 'Need experience' | 'Need experience' |
| The river was in spate, providing challenging white-water conditions for experienced canoeists. | The river was in spate, providing challenging white-water conditions for experienced canoeists. |
| Heavy rain and gale-force winds made the rescue operation hazardous in a remote location. | Heavy rain and gale-force winds made the rescue operation hazardous in a remote location. |
| Fire crews - supported by rescuers from Dartmoor Rescue - walked five miles over the difficult terrain to reach the scene. | Fire crews - supported by rescuers from Dartmoor Rescue - walked five miles over the difficult terrain to reach the scene. |
| Robert Steemson, head of recreation, rangers and estates for Dartmoor National Park Authority, said the eight-strong group had been experienced canoeists. | Robert Steemson, head of recreation, rangers and estates for Dartmoor National Park Authority, said the eight-strong group had been experienced canoeists. |
| "The bit of river between Dartmeet and Newbridge is one of the best bits of river in the country," Mr Steemson told BBC News. | "The bit of river between Dartmeet and Newbridge is one of the best bits of river in the country," Mr Steemson told BBC News. |
| "You have to be a very experienced canoeist to go down on that piece of river." | "You have to be a very experienced canoeist to go down on that piece of river." |
| Mr Wheeler was a contributor to Canoe and Kayak UK magazine, which said he had 25 years' experience as a "paddler" and had canoed all over the world. | Mr Wheeler was a contributor to Canoe and Kayak UK magazine, which said he had 25 years' experience as a "paddler" and had canoed all over the world. |
| He was nicknamed Magic Knees - after dislocating his knees on Conwy Falls more than 20 years ago. | He was nicknamed Magic Knees - after dislocating his knees on Conwy Falls more than 20 years ago. |
| Robert Illman, the controller of Dartmoor Rescue, said the stretch of river where the canoeist died is one of the most challenging in the country. | Robert Illman, the controller of Dartmoor Rescue, said the stretch of river where the canoeist died is one of the most challenging in the country. |
| He said the team had carried out at least eight or nine rescues over the past 10 years on the same stretch. | He said the team had carried out at least eight or nine rescues over the past 10 years on the same stretch. |
| Heavy rain had lashed the area on Saturday and the Environment Agency had issued a flood warning for the River Dart. | Heavy rain had lashed the area on Saturday and the Environment Agency had issued a flood warning for the River Dart. |
| There are also warnings and flood watches on a number of other rivers in the South West. | There are also warnings and flood watches on a number of other rivers in the South West. |
| Advertisement | Advertisement |
| Local canoeist Arthur Lawton talks about the challenges of white water kayaking on the River Dart |