This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/8372604.stm
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 6 | Version 7 |
---|---|
Canoeist pulled from river dies | Canoeist pulled from river dies |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A canoeist who was recovered from a swollen river on Dartmoor in bad weather has died, Devon and Somerset Fire Service has confirmed. | |
He had become trapped against a tree in the River Dart at Newton Abbot, Devon. | He had become trapped against a tree in the River Dart at Newton Abbot, Devon. |
Two others, believed to be part of the same canoeing party from the Thames Valley area, were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia. | |
Emergency services and a Sea King search and rescue helicopter were alerted at 1630 GMT. | Emergency services and a Sea King search and rescue helicopter were alerted at 1630 GMT. |
The remote location and poor conditions, near Poundsgate on Dartmoor, made the operation hazardous. | The remote location and poor conditions, near Poundsgate on Dartmoor, made the operation hazardous. |
Experienced group | |
Fire crews - supported by mountain rescue teams - walked five miles over difficult terrain to reach the scene, a fire service spokesman said. | |
"There has been one fatality. Two other canoeists were trying to keep him upright within the canoe," he said. | "There has been one fatality. Two other canoeists were trying to keep him upright within the canoe," he said. |
Everyone in the party is now accounted for, he added. It is not yet known whether the man died in hospital. | Everyone in the party is now accounted for, he added. It is not yet known whether the man died in hospital. |
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. |
Heavy rain had lashed the area on Saturday and the Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for the River Dart. | Heavy rain had lashed the area on Saturday and the Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for the River Dart. |
There are also warnings and flood watches on a further 12 rivers. | There are also warnings and flood watches on a further 12 rivers. |