Two police officers have rescued a man from the River Swale in North Yorkshire.

At around 11.00pm last Friday police received a call that a man was in the River Swale at the top of the waterfalls near Richmond Castle.

PCs Emma Taylor based at Catterick Garrison and Alec Robertson from Leyburn were at the scene within a matter of minutes. On arrival they could see a man lying fully submerged in the water, a meter from the river’s edge. Although on his back, his face was in the water and he was not responding.

Despite the darkness and unknown depth, both officers entered the freezing water and found the man cold, limp and unconscious. They pulled him out of the river and onto a nearby car park, where they covered him with a blanket and managed to rouse and revive him.

The man was lapsing in and out of consciousness but the officers kept him alert and warm until an ambulance arrived.

The 21-year-old man, who is believed to be local was taken to the Friarage hospital in Northallerton where he is recovering.

Sergeant Neil Northend of Richmond police said: "The events of Friday evening saw North Yorkshire's officers display first class police work, had they not responded as quickly as they did, we could have been dealing with the tragic death of a young man. The two officers undoubtedly saved the man's life".