An experienced canoeist died after becoming trapped under his boat while riding a flooded river, police said today.
Chris Wheeler (46) from Reading, Berkshire, was pulled from the River Dart at Mel Tor, Poundsgate, Newton Abbot, after getting caught beneath a tree yesterday afternoon.
Two fellow canoeists fought to free the qualified instructor but could not, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The trio, described as “experienced” by police were canoeing in “challenging conditions” after the river was swollen by heavy rainfall.
A spokesman for the Devon and Cornwall force said today “certainly it is an area where people go when the river is in flood to experience a bit of white water. Our advice to people is not to do anything it is beyond their experience to cope with.”
Fire engines, police and ambulance personnel and a Sea King helicopter were called to the scene just after 4.30pm.
Police today said the two survivors, both from the South East, required no further medical treatment.
It is believed there were a total of eight experienced canoeists on the water at the time of the tragedy.
PA