Two rescued from River Severn in Shrewsbury town centre

Three fire appliances from Shrewsbury, Baschurch and Tweedale attended the scene at around 2.15pm.

One male had already been rescued when crews arrive, another was in a distressed condition and both were medically assessed by an ambulance crew.

The man was rescued by canoe instructor James Edwards, who was guided towards the man after he fell from Frankwell Bridge.

Speaking on Sunday, Nigel Conway, who runs Shrewsbury Canoe Hire in Frankwell Quay, said the incident happened right in front of them.

"James told me he was going out to try and find him. I said what I always say, that his own safety should come first when he's out on the boat. He has a calm head on his shoulders and knows what you need to do in these situations.

"ut it wasn't just James. Other people were helping from the side, and there was someone climbing down the railings by Smithfield Road to try and help this guy. It was a community effort. People will go to extraordinary lengths and put themselves at risk when things like this happen."

The double rescue is the latest in a string of incidents involving people in the River Severn in the county town.

On April 1, Toby Jones died after being pulled from the water at Victoria Quay. It's believed the 31-year-old was walking from The Wheatsheaf in Frankwell and descended the steps by the Welsh Bridge after an evening at Theatre Severn and seeing friends.

His heartbroken mother said he and a friend were using his phone to see where they were going when it dropped into the water. Toby then went to try and retrieve it but died after going in the water.

Over the same weekend another man was rescued from near the English Bridge shortly after midnight on Monday, April 4.

Dan Walker, also 31, had been to see a friend on Wyle Cop before going to the Nag's Head on the evening of Sunday, April 3.

He was seen on CCTV going past the Hop and Friar, and said he remembers turning right to go towards the Quarry but somehow he ended up in the river.

The father-of-one was rescued by student Will Mowbray and his girlfriend Molly Marr. Will tried to drag Dan from the water while another member of the public held on to his ankles - before diving in and holding Dan above water for at least half an hour. Meanwhile, Molly was on the riverbank speaking to emergency services and helping co-ordinate the rescue.

Despite the rescue he's been warned he may never walk again.

Speaking to the Shropshire Star, Will recalled how he had rescued two people - including Dan - from the River Severn - within the space of a month.

Most recently, the body of 21-year-old Nathan Fleetwood was found at Greyfriars footbridge, nearly three weeks after he went missing after a night out in Shrewsbury.

The recent series of events have renewed calls for improved safety along the banks of the river in the town.

Shropshire Council's cabinet member in charge of physical infrastructure, Councillor Dean Carroll, has confirmed a review of river safety in the town is under way.

Councillor Carroll said a number of measures would be looked at to increase safety – including fencing, lighting, exit points, and increased education.

The Make Our Rivers Safer group, which has more than 5,400 members, has suggested fencing along danger spots, patrols along the river, more grab lines, and more CCTV cameras as possible measures.

Speaking after her son's death, Toby Jones' mother, Shane Gayme, said she'd support calls to improve safety.

"I want to support the Make Our River Safer group and I've shared the petition. I hope the council will sit up and listen. There have been loads of others over the years. It's worth it even if it saves one life," she said.

"It could have happened to anyone, it's not just people on a night out."