The River Tyne near Riding Mill. Photo: John Clive Nicholson CC-BY-SA-2.0

A kayaker has died after getting into difficulties on a Northumberland river.

Andrew Weatherill of Hartlepool was winched from the River Tyne near Hexham yesterday by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer, but died in hospital.

The 33-year-old was on the water at Riding Mill when he encountered difficulties at the weir next to the village’s pumping station. Emergency services were alerted at 2.25pm on Saturday.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “Emergency services including the police, ambulance, Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, air ambulance and RAF Boulmer attended.

“Due to the turbulent river water, the canoeist was winched out of the canoe by an RAF Boulmer helicopter at 3.04pm and was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary [at Newcastle].  He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.”

Mr Weatherill’s relatives have been informed.

The police spokesperson added: “A report is being prepared for the coroner.”