A MAN jumped into the River Ouse in York on Saturday night, from an area busy with drinkers.

It is believed the man jumped into the river from Kings Staith in the city at about 6.45pm last night (October 4).

When he re-emerged from the river, nearby door staff detained him until police arrived.

It comes weeks after the City of York Council, police and Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan launched a high profile river safety campaign, following a number of deaths in the city’s rivers.

Over the past 15 years there have been 24 deaths in York’s rivers.

The River Safety campaign is backed by loved ones of those who died, including Jackie Roberts, the mother of Megan Roberts, who drowned after becoming disorientated after drinking with friends and entering the river this year.

Her inquest was held last week, along with that of Ben Clarkson, who drowned in the River Foss after returning from a night out drinking.

The River Safety campaign is also being backed by Steve Pearson, the father of 18-year-old soldier Tyler Pearson, who drowned in the River Ouse this year while trying to swim across after a night out with friends.