AN 87-year-old woman has died after apparently trying to cross a river while out walking on her own.

The pensioner was found by a fisherman partly submerged in the River Ure in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire.

The man pulled the woman from the river and comforted her until the emergency services arrived.

It is not known how long she had been in the water.

The woman was flown to Harrogate District Hospital by Yorkshire Air Ambulance, but died later that day.

The incident happened on Monday afternoon at the stepping stones between Worton and Askrigg.

It is thought the pensioner fell in after trying to cross the river, although police have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances.

Inspector Ian Thompson, of Richmond police, said: “Our thoughts are with the lady’s family at this sad time.

“We understand she was a very active person who regularly went on country walks alone.

“We have personally thanked the fisherman who came to her rescue and stayed with her until the emergency services arrived.

“His public-spirited actions meant she received help as soon as possible.”

Yorkshire Ambulance Service received the emergency call at 2.35pm.

A spokeswoman said: “It was reported to us that an adult female was in the water after falling from some stones or rocks. We sent Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”

Neil Daykin, of the Victoria Arms pub, in Worton, said the stepping stones were on a public footpath to Askrigg.

He said: “They’re not the best stepping stones – they could do with another stone across them.”

Police said they were not in a position to release the identity of the woman.

However, they said she was from Matlock, in Derbyshire, and was staying in Wensleydale with her family.

Police said the woman’s family contacted emergency services when she failed to arrive at an agreed meeting point later in the day.