An Irish kayaker has died in an accident at a river in Norway, it has been confirmed.
The 25-year-old man was kayaking with four Irish friends yesterday when the accident happened. They had arrived in Norway on Saturday.
The man was the first of the group to kayak over a six metre drop at about 2.30pm when he went under the water.
His friends tried to rescue him and threw ropes from the shore.
The emergency services were called at 3pm and a rescue helicopter saw him in the water at about 3.30pm.
However it was a “very difficult” operation in a small ravine, Norwegian police said.
His body was recovered from the water by some other kayakers. Police do not know the cause of his death but it is believed to be from drowning or injury to his head.
His death has been confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The man’s parents and family have been informed. The department is offering consular assistance to his family.
The incident happened at the Sjoa river in the Ridderspranget ravine in the municipality of Vågå in central Norway, a popular river with kayakers.
The incident took place on a “challenging river” where there have previously been accidents, Norwegian police said.