Preston man rescued from sinking van in River Ribble

A man from Preston has been rescued from a sinking van after it was spotted entering the River Ribble in Walton-le-Dale.
The white Ford Transit van was found in the River Ribble near London Road bridge, Walton-le-Dale on Tuesday morning (August 13)The white Ford Transit van was found in the River Ribble near London Road bridge, Walton-le-Dale on Tuesday morning (August 13)
The white Ford Transit van was found in the River Ribble near London Road bridge, Walton-le-Dale on Tuesday morning (August 13)

Emergency services found the white Ford Transit van half-submerged in the river near London Road bridge, at 5.45am yesterday morning (August 13).

The incident prompted a multi-agency response, with police, fire crews and the ambulance service mobilised within minutes.

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Arriving at the scene, police officers found a man in the water near the sinking van.

The white Ford Transit van was found in the River Ribble near London Road bridge, Walton-le-Dale on Tuesday morning (August 13)The white Ford Transit van was found in the River Ribble near London Road bridge, Walton-le-Dale on Tuesday morning (August 13)
The white Ford Transit van was found in the River Ribble near London Road bridge, Walton-le-Dale on Tuesday morning (August 13)

He was pulled from the river and placed into the care of waiting paramedics.

Fire crews from Preston, Penwortham and Bamber Bridge attended and launched a rescue boat to search the van and river for other potential casualties.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said: "We were called to the scene at 5.52am after receiving reports of a van in the River Ribble near London Road.

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"Crews arrived to find a man being treated by paramedics on the riverbank.

A local fisherman relaxes near the half-submerged Ford Transit in the River Ribble near London Road, Walton-le-DaleA local fisherman relaxes near the half-submerged Ford Transit in the River Ribble near London Road, Walton-le-Dale
A local fisherman relaxes near the half-submerged Ford Transit in the River Ribble near London Road, Walton-le-Dale

"Initial concerns were that another person might be trapped in the van.

"Crews from Preston, Penwortham and Bamber Bridge launched a rescue boat and checked the vehicle and surrounding water, but no other casualties were found."

Firefighters searched the water for an hour before it was established that the driver had been alone in the vehicle and rescue efforts were concluded.

Police said no arrests were made.

Paramedics treated a man at the scene for 40 minutes before he was taken to Royal Preston HospitalParamedics treated a man at the scene for 40 minutes before he was taken to Royal Preston Hospital
Paramedics treated a man at the scene for 40 minutes before he was taken to Royal Preston Hospital
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North West Ambulance Service said the driver was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for further treatment.

A NWAS spokesman said: "We were called at 5.50am to reports of a van in the water near London Road, Preston.

"A land ambulance and a rapid response unit attended and remained at the scene for 40 minutes before taking a man to Royal Preston Hospital."

The van remained in the river for more than 24 hours before it was recovered this afternoon (August 14).

Lancashire Fire Service said the Canal & River Trust, who are responsible for Britain's waterways, have been notified.