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Canoeist pulled from river dies Canoeist pulled from river dies
(about 3 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. A canoeist has died after becoming trapped against a tree in a swollen river on Dartmoor.
He had become trapped against a tree in the River Dart at Newton Abbot, Devon. The 46-year-old man from Reading, Berkshire, was in a group of canoeists tackling the River Dart near Poundsgate on Dartmoor on Saturday afternoon.
Two others, believed to be part of the same canoeing party from the Thames Valley area, were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia. Two other people were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia, following a large-scale rescue operation.
Emergency services and a Sea King search and rescue helicopter were alerted at 1630 GMT. Fire, police, ambulance, Dartmoor Rescue and a Sea King helicopter from RMB Chivenor were involved.
The remote location and poor conditions, near Poundsgate on Dartmoor, made the operation hazardous. The poor conditions made the operation hazardous.
Experienced groupExperienced group
Fire crews - supported by mountain rescue teams - walked five miles over difficult terrain to reach the scene, a fire service spokesman said. Fire crews - supported by rescuers from Dartmoor Rescue - walked 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.
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.