EMERGENCY services were searching the rivers in York today after reports of a distressed man by the banks.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and North Yorkshire Police were involved in searches of the River Ouse and the River Foss.

Tony Walker, from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said few details were available so far, other than the man was last seen in a distressed state close to one of the rivers.

 

Station Manager Walker said: "At the moment we've had reports of a gentleman in distress at the riverside so we're currently carrying out a bankside search with personnel from York and Acomb. We've also got the York river boat from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue searching up and down the river looking for this gentleman.

"We've just been told that the gentleman is wearing jeans and Timberland boots and is in a little bit of distress. That's all we've got at the moment."

Station Manager Walker said the man was understood to be wearing more clothing, but further descriptions, including the man's age and appearance, had not yet been made available.

York Press:

He appealed to the public to be vigilant and advise the emergency services if they see anyone by the river who appears to be in distress.

SM Walker said: "We don't know where he was last seen. We just know that he's on the riverbank somewhere.

"If you see anyone while you're walking your dog, or jogging and it looks like he's in distress, please make a call to the police or the Fire Service with your location and hopefully we can go and see if it's this gentleman we're looking for."

York Press:

At about 10.15am, SM Walker posted on social media that the crews had been stood down from the river.

He wrote: "After a thorough search of the river bank and no further information the search has been called off."

At about 11.45am, North Yorkshire Police took to social media to confirm the missing man had been found.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service also confirmed the man had been found safe.

Anyone who has seen a man in distress by the rivers today should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.