A canoeist who was pulled from a fast-flowing river by firefighters and mountain rescue volunteers has died. The man, who was in his 30s, got into difficulties in the River Arkle, near Reeth, in the Yorkshire Dales, prompting a major rescue operation. But, the Great North Air Ambulance Service confirmed the man died despite efforts to save him." The man was pulled from the freezing water after he became trapped in debris, mountain rescue volunteers said. Specially trained firefighters went into the river, which was swollen due to snow melt, and managed to secure a rope to the stricken kayak. The canoeist was pulled out and taken to hospital by air ambulance. A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance said: ""A canoeist, a man in his 30s, was trapped in the river. After a search the man was located and pulled from the water. "We took a doctor and paramedic to the scene who worked on the patient at the scene and throughout the flight to James Cook University Hospital (in Middlesbrough). "This was a large-scale rescue effort involving police, fire, RAF and Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team. "Sadly, despite everyone's best efforts, the man was later pronounced dead. Our thoughts are with his family and friends." | 
