A TRAGIC bank holiday weekend after emergency services spent hours attempting to rescue a man from the River Eden.

Emergency services including; divers, air ambulance and mountain rescue spent hours at the River Eden near Lazonby trying to recover a man from the water.

Police were called at about 3.30pm on Saturday after a repot was made a man had feel into the river from a boat. Taking fast action the air ambulance was quickly deployed but was sadly not needed.

Recovery lasted until late into the night with the man finally being pulled from the water at 8.45pm.

A spokesman for the police said: "We can confirm that a body was found following a multi-agency search operation on the river Eden, near Lazonby.

"Officers received a report of concern for the welfare and that a man fell into the water while out in a boat at 3.21pm on Saturday (April 3).

"The body of a man was found at around 8:45pm. Formal identification has not yet taken place."

A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance Service said:" We attended an incident at Lazonby at 3.20 the team were stood down and were not needed to treat a patient."

Since the tragic death there has been an outpouring of messages including one from Inspector Kim Brown who said: "The work of police search advisors and multi agency teamwork is vital. Such a sad outcome for this one, thoughts with the family."

Nick Griggs from North West ambulance service said in a message: "Following a tragic incident, please, if you intend to visit Cumbria Lake District please bare in mind that the water is dangerously cold, with strong currents."

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said: "Carlisle crews have attended a number water rescue incidents, this week is our Water Awareness Week, can we please remind everyone who falls unexpectedly into cold water wants to follow the same instinct, to swim hard and to fight the cold water. When people fight it, chances are, they lose. If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, do as little as possible, and float."