Arkle Beck at Reeth, Swaledale. Photo: Andy Beecroft CC-BY-SA-2.0

A paddler has died after getting into difficulties on a Yorkshire Dales river.

Police said mountain rescuers and fire and rescue service members went to the man’s aid today in Swaledale, North Yorkshire today when the incident happened.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “The force was called shortly after 1pm following reports that a man canoeing with friends had got into difficulties on the Arkle Beck at Reeth, near Leyburn.

“Police officers greatly assisted by the Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and an RAF air-support unit, located the man in the beck a short time later.

“He was removed from the water at around 2.30pm by officers from the fire and rescue service and the Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team.

“He was taken to James Cook University Hospital [in Middlesbrough] by air ambulance where he was sadly pronounced dead.

“There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident, which is being treated as a tragic accident.

“We are not in a position to release any further details about the man’s identity until his next of kin have been informed.”