A MAJOR river search was launched in Selby following reports that a man had fallen into the Ouse.

More than 20 members of the emergency services were involved, including fire crews from York and Tadcaster, along with North Yorkshire Police.

They were called to the swing bridge by a team from Yorkshire Ambulance, after a member of the public raised the alarm, believing a drunken man may have fallen in.

A spokeswoman from North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said three five-man crews and an officer searched the area around the riverbanks for about 30 minutes, before discovering the man had not entered the water.

Sergeant Kevin Brighton, of Selby Police, said the search, at about 5pm on Wednesday, used a great deal of emergency service resources, including five members of Selby police.

Praising the actions of the caller, he said: “There were five police officers, as well as the fire crews, and the man was located at about 5.30pm by firefighters, in Ousegate, in the garden area.

“My concern is that people are out drinking in the afternoon and getting in such a state that they cannot take care of themselves.”

Water rescue units were also requested to attend the scene from Whitby and Richmond, but were called off when the man was found.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “Although this concern turned out to be misplaced, the caller was well-intentioned and genuinely worried about the man’s safety.

“We would always want to hear from anyone who has concerns for someone else’s welfare do that we can ensure that they are safe rather than having to deal with a tragedy later on.”