Canoeist dies after weir accident

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A canoeist has died after becoming trapped in a weir on a West Yorkshire river, in what police have described as a tragic accident.

The 37-year-old man, from the Leeds area, was pulled from the River Calder, near Halifax, in a major rescue operation by police and firefighters.

He was one of four canoeists who had got into difficulties between Luddenden Foot and Sowerby Bridge.

The man was taken to Calderdale Royal Hospital but was later declared dead.

He is not expected to be named until after the weekend.

The other three canoeists, who were taken to the same Halifax hospital, are expected to make a full recovery.

'Severe difficulties'

A police investigation into the tragedy is under way, but officers have already said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Inspector Michael Green, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "It is believed to have been a tragic accident."

A West Yorkshire Fire Service spokesman said four canoeists were believed to have been in the water when firefighters were alerted, but two managed to climb out without assistance.

The other two were pulled out with the help of a "water rescue sled".

The spokesman said the canoeist trapped on the weir had been in "severe difficulties" when rescuers arrived.

More than 30 firefighters from Leeds, Bingley, Brighouse, Elland, Illingworth and Cleckheaton were involved in the rescue operation.