Police have confirmed that a 62-year-old man has died following an incident by the River Dart near the village of Holne on Dartmoor.
PlymouthLive has learned that the man, who lives locally, was out walking alongside the river just north of Holne sometime around noon on Saturday (December 20) when he fell down a bank and into the water.
It is understood the man may have suffered a medical episode either shortly before he fell or after he fell into the cold water.
A group of kayakers who were passing spotted the man and set about pulling him from the water. They were then given advice by a call handler from the South Western Ambulance Services to begin CPR while paramedics headed towards the scene.
It is understood the Devon Air Ambulance and the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team were also called to the location, following a call to Devon and Cornwall Police. Witnesses have said they saw a large number of emergency vehicles at a car park by Newbridge, a short distance along the river.
The police's Force Incident Manager (FIM) told PlymouthLive on Saturday evening that sadly, despite the man initially appearing to recover, he later passed away.
A Devon coroner's vehicle was also called to the location and the man's body was removed. His next of kin, who also lives local to the Holne area, has been informed.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed: "Police were called at 12.30pm on Saturday 20 December by the Ambulance Service to reports of concern for a man who located in the River Dart near Holne.
"Emergency medical care had been given at the scene but the man, aged in his 60s, was sadly confirmed deceased. His next of kin have been informed.
"The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner."