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Bridge fall latest – body found in the River Ouse

The Rescue Boat on the side of the Ouse

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Police searching for a man who fell into the River Ouse in York have recovered a body from the water.

It marked the tragic end to a day-long search of the Ouse sparked after a man was seen falling into the river early today (Sunday).

He was spotted falling from Ouse Bridge at 3.15am.

The alarm was raised by members of the public who saw the man enter the water from above the middle arch of the bridge.

Brave attempts were made to throw a life belt to the man before the emergency services arrived at the scene.

A search involving the police, fire service and York Rescue Boat took place over the next few hours. Shortly after 5pm police reported they had recovered a body.

Officers from the Northumbria Police Marine Unit located the body near to Ouse Bridge at 2.45pm, with the recovery operation completed at 4.25pm.

Family due to be informed

Police on King's Staith
Police on King’s Staith

Officers are not expected to be in a position to identify the man until Monday at the earliest. His family are due to be informed.

The area around the incident remains cordoned off to the public. As soon as it reopens an update will be released.

Inspector Dave Hunter, of the York Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

This is clearly a very tragic incident and it is important that the man’s family receive specialist police support at this difficult time.

We ask that people show the family respect and allow them to grieve in private.

We realise the emergency response to this incident has caused a great deal of disruption during a busy day York.

We thank people and nearby businesses for their continued patience and support during the operation, particularly those who have provided vital information to assist police enquiries.

Officers at riverside
Officers at riverside
The view from outside the King's Arms today
The view from outside the King’s Arms today
The York Rescue Boat team were taking part in the search
The York Rescue Boat team were taking part in the search
Another view of the police presence by the river
Another view of the police presence by the river
The fire service rescue boat
The fire service rescue boat
Police were giving media interviews by the river
Police were giving media interviews by the river
The scene from Ouse Bridge
The scene from Ouse Bridge
A police officer and member of the Rescue Boat team on Ouse Bridge
A police officer and member of the Rescue Boat team on Ouse Bridge
The search took place from the early hours
The search took place from the early hours
Police in lifebelts on King's Staith
Police in lifebelts on King’s Staith
The rescue vehicles on Queen's Staith
The rescue vehicles on Queen’s Staith
The man was seen falling from the middle arch of Ouse Bridge
The man was seen falling from the middle arch of Ouse Bridge

Identity unknown

The extensive search was co-ordinated by North Yorkshire Police and involves officers combing the river banks with support from a police helicopter.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue also launched their boat as part of the search operation.

Police are appealing for anyone who may be able to identify the man to contact them on 101, select option 1, and quote reference NYP-10072016-0098.

The York Dragon Boat Race went ahead despite the sad news.