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| Canoeist pulled from river dies | Canoeist pulled from river dies |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A canoeist has died after becoming trapped against a tree in a swollen river on Dartmoor. | A canoeist has died after becoming trapped against a tree in a swollen river on Dartmoor. |
| 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. | 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 other people were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia, following a large-scale rescue operation. | Two other people were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia, following a large-scale rescue operation. |
| 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. |
| The poor conditions made the operation hazardous. | The poor conditions made the operation hazardous. |
| Experienced group | Experienced group |
| Fire crews - supported by rescuers from Dartmoor Rescue - walked 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. | 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. |
| "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." | |
| 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 number of other rivers in the South West. |