Afternoon bathers rescued after dip in the River Mersey (From Warrington Guardian)

Afternoon bathers rescued after dip in the River Mersey

A MAN was rescued by firefighters after being washed 100 metres down the River Mersey on Monday.

Colin James, aged 46, of no fixed abode is believed to have jumped off the railway bridge with another man, who scrambled to safety before the firefighters arrived at 3.20pm.

In a co-ordinated effort involving firefighters from Warrington, Birchwood, Stockton Heath and Knutsford stations, Mr James was pulled from the river.

Leading Stockton Heath firefighter, Colin James, said: "We saw him floating on his back for about 100 metres before he started to swim towards the shore.

"We set up an inflatable boom to catch him about 200 metres down from the blue bridge but he got to the bank before reaching it."

Gavin Hanson, leading firefighter for Birchwood led the team that met Mr James on the riverbank.

He said: "Stockton Heath were shouting to us from the other side of the river so we knew where to look. When we got close we could hear Mr James saying 'I'm here', he sounded freezing.

"He was in the water but the mud was very think so we got him on to a log before pulling him up the bank."

A specialist rescue team from Knutsford was on hand with rope and line equipment. In addition Warrington fire service launched their boat.

Mr James was taken to Warrington Hospital suffering the effects of cold and shock but was later discharged.