Search Begins! A MAN who leapt into a river which has already claimed the lives of two people this year is being treated in hospital following a dramatic rescue. Emergency services were alerted by shocked onlookers in York city centre yesterday (Saturday, November 15) at 4.45pm, after spotting the fully-clothed 35-year-old trying to swim in the swollen Ouse. A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said as the man, who had been drinking, swam from Museum Street towards Lendal Bridge, a North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service crew launched a boat - but he continued swimming. The Environment Agency said water levels in the Ouse were peaking following heavy rain at the time. Minutes later, the man began to suffer from hypothermia and crowds of shoppers looked on as he was pulled from the water by firefighters. He was given first aid on the riverbank before being taken to York Hospital for treatment. Firefighters said he was rescued in the nick of time. The rescue comes a month after emergency services were called to another incident where a man jumped into the river in the Kings Staith area, which was busy with drinkers, but managed to reach the riverbank safely.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 21:20:22 +0000