Mike Carey: Former BBC radio presenter dies after river rescue
- Published
Mike Carey hosted a programme called Memorable Melodies for almost 20 years
A man who died after being pulled from a river has been named as former BBC Radio Derby presenter Mike Carey.
Derbyshire Police said Mr Carey was rescued from the River Derwent at Darley Abbey Mills on Saturday morning.
The 87-year-old, who was from the local area, was taken to hospital but died shortly after.
Mr Carey hosted a programme called Memorable Melodies for the radio station for almost 20 years before stepping down in 2019.
Police said officers were investigating how he got into the water.
Anyone who was in the area between 08:30 and 09:20 BST on Saturday has been asked to contact the force.
As well as being a radio presenter, Mr Carey was an author and worked as a national cricket correspondent.
Aftab Gulzar, executive editor at BBC Radio Derby, told the station Mr Carey had an "incredible life".
Mr Gulzar said: "Our hearts go out to Mike's family, friends and our audiences who will fondly remember his Memorable Melodies programme which was loved for almost 20 years on Radio Derby.
"Mike retired in 2019 and leaves us with wonderful memories of his passion for music and incredible stories from a fantastic career."
Charles Collins, a sports journalist and broadcaster, said he met Mr Carey when he joined BBC Radio Derby in 2002 and they became "great mates".
Mr Collins said Mr Carey was a great source of stories "because he knew everybody in Derbyshire".
"When I was covering Derbyshire cricket, I could check any story just by ringing Mike," he said.
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Derbyshire County Cricket Club said it was "deeply saddened" by the news of Mr Carey's death.
The club's heritage officer David Griffin said: "As teenagers following Derbyshire in the 1970s, Mike Carey was a familiar figure to us all, a popular writer - often accompanied by his pet dog - with forthright views on the game."
Darley Abbey Cricket Club has also paid tribute to Mr Carey, described as a "long-standing supporter".
The club said: "For those that knew him, there will be a fund of stories to tell about both him and his dogs. Rest In Peace Mike."
Throughout his career, Mr Carey reported on cricket in Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa covering England's international tours.
Mr Carey had several books published about cricket, and wrote about the lives of Derby composer Ronald Binge and singer Denny Dennis.
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