Man dials 999 for rescue after falling into River Severn in Bridgnorth
A man used his mobile phone to call police to rescue him after he fell into the River Severn in Bridgnorth in the early hours of this morning.
The incident happened at about 4.40am in the Underhill Street area of the town.
A West Mercia Police spokesman said: "Police received a telephone call from a man on his mobile telephone, saying that he had fallen in the River Severn, in Bridgnorth.
"Officers attended the scene as quickly as possible and a search was conducted along the river bank.
"The man was quickly observed in the river and officers were able to get hold of him and pull him to safety. An ambulance had already been called and he was treated at the scene by paramedics."
The man was suffering from the effects of hypothermia and was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
The spokesman said the man was known to police from previous incidents and it was thought that alcohol consumption had played a significant part in the incident.
Firefighters from Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury and Telford were also sent to the area and spent 30 minutes dealing with the incident. They helped the police with the casualty due to the slippery river bank.
An operations officer and the water rescue unit were also in attendance.
