Man drowns after jumping from balcony into River Ouse
- Published
Divers and a fire service boat recovered the body of Richard Horrocks from the River Ouse
A 21-year-old man has drowned after jumping into a river from a balcony in York city centre in a "moment of misplaced exuberance", police said.
North Yorkshire Police said Richard Horrocks of Stanley Street, York, apparently jumped into the River Ouse from the balcony on Coney Street.
Witnesses said they saw the man struggle in the water at 06:35 BST before he disappeared from view.
Another man tried a rescue attempt but was forced to clamber to safety.
Police recovered Mr Horrocks's body from the river on Sunday afternoon after a search involving divers and a fire service boat.
'Heartbreak and grief'
Specialist support to help recover the body was provided by an underwater search unit from West Yorkshire Police.
Inspector Mark Henderson said: "York has been a very sombre place today knowing that a young man with everything to live for has paid the ultimate price for a moment of misplaced exuberance.
"It is a tragedy that his parents, family and friends will struggle to come to terms with.
"I personally do not wish to take away from their heartbreak and grief at this terrible time.
"However, people need to wake up to the fact that rivers in general are extremely dangerous, and the Ouse itself is a particularly treacherous stretch of water."