AN injured kayaker was pulled from a swollen river by rescuers on Sunday evening.

About 20 volunteers from Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team (SMRT) and a similar number of firefighters were involved in the rescue of a man from the River Swale at Catrake Force near Keld, in Swaledale.

Rescuers were called to the scene at about 5.40pm on Sunday evening.

Steve Clough, from SMRT, said: “He was stuck in his kayak in the river because he had hurt his back.

“He was under a waterfall and we had to haul him up a crag of about ten metres on a stretcher.

“It was not the easiest of rescues. Conditions were very poor - it was hailing and sleeting."

The man was taken to hospital by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries.

Four uninjured kayakers were given assistance at the scene by rescuers.

  • If you know the man who was rescued, call our newsdesk on 01325 505068.