A POLICE investigation into how a man was shoved into the Ouse in York is centring on soldiers at a nearby Army camp.

Matthew Johnston, 20, from Woodthorpe, today told of his ordeal at the hands of men he is convinced were soldiers.

Police said inquiries led them to believe those responsible had returned to Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Strensall.

The Army confirmed members of the Munster-based Royal Dragoon Guards, in York at the weekend to celebrate their freedom of the city, were staying at the camp, home to 34 Field Hospital and an Army recruiting team. Other units may also have been there.

Mr Johnston believes he could have drowned in the freezing Ouse, which has claimed a number of lives over the years.

He had been sitting on King's Staith eating a pizza with a friend after visiting pubs in the city.

He said: "I just felt a hand on my back and I went in. I didn't get a chance to see the guy. I was shocked because I just didn't expect it and then I got a shock from the temperature of the water. I was shaking for about two hours afterwards."

His friend, Andy Sinclair, tried to rescue him but could not lift him alone and he plunged back into the water.

It was only with the help of others he was finally pulled to safety.

He claimed the person who pushed him was with a large group of soldiers, all wearing blue shirts and red ties, and door staff at nearby pubs told him they were "squaddies".

Group members helped haul him out of the river.

"They told my mate they were squaddies," he said.

Insp Andy Everitt, of York police, said: "Our inquiries have been very fruitful and have led us to believe the offenders came from Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Strensall."

Mr Johnston said staff at the King's Arms told him the incident was captured on CCTV and a tape had been passed to the police. It is now being analysed.

Mr Johnston added: "I don't want them just to get away with it. If I had been more drunk or I had banged my head it could have been a lot worse. I might not have come up out of the water."

An Army spokeswoman said she knew of no internal investigation.

But she added: "We are not happy with incidents of any type of violence anywhere. If soldiers have been accused of pushing somebody into the river, which could be quite a serious incident, we would obviously do our best to help the police track down the culprits."

The Evening Press reported yesterday how a teenager was pulled from his bicycle just 15 minutes later and thrown into the river at a nearby spot.

Witnesses should call police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 15:01 Tuesday, March 19, 2002