Kayakers' CPR effort praised by police

Kayakers helped save a man before emergency services arrived at Sedbergh

Kayakers have been praised for their quick thinking after carrying out life-saving efforts to help a man who had got into difficulty in the water.

Emergency services were called to the outskirts of Sedbergh, Cumbria, on Sunday where a member of a recreational group was unresponsive.

Police said the first emergency vehicles arrived about five minutes after a 999 call was made, with some in the party having already started CPR.

Medics then took over using a mobile defibrillator and the man is now said to be recovering in hospital where he is being treated for hypothermia and cardiac issues.

Police covering the South Lakes area of the county said the man was initially placed in an induced coma but had since been "upright and talking to loved ones from his hospital bed".

The force added: "We'll never know the impact of this early intervention directly.

"[But] this incident serves as a very real reminder that anyone has the ability to preserve life.

"If you have the opportunity to learn CPR or basic first aid please take it.

"When it comes to situations such as this, every second counts and the power is literally in your hands."