A teenager who leapt into a river to save her pet dog has died, police said last night.

The 16-year-old, who has not been named, was swept away after jumping into the River Ehen, in Egremont, near Whitehaven, Cumbria, yesterday afternoon.

She had been walking her dog with a friend close to the Egremont Rugby Club, when the accident happened.

A search by police, fire crews, mountain rescue and coastguard teams was launched shortly after the alarm was raised.

She was taken to West Cumberland Hospital by RAF rescue helicopter, but was pronounced dead shortly before 6.30pm.