Man dies trying to save child from river

A man has died trying to save a child from the River Erme, but the child survived. 

Devon and Cornwall Police officers were called by an ambulance crew to the River Erme near Station Road, Ivybridge, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 15 June. 

It appears as if the man entered the water to rescue a child, who later was able to escape the water unaided and was unhurt. 

The man, 30, is thought to be a foreign national and was pronounced dead at the scene, despite the best efforts of all the emergency services.

Ambulance crews from Derriford, Fire Co-Responders, a BASICS Doctor, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue crews from Ivybridge and Modbury, and the Specialist Water Rescue Team from Camels Head, and the Devon Air Ambulance also attended.

His next-of-kin are aware. His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "On behalf of all of the emergency services who attended, we offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences."

Image: the River Erme at Ivybridge - credit Derek Harper.