YORKSHIRE Air Ambulance was called today for a man who sustained head injuries after jumping into the River Swale.

The 28-year-old man is reported to have jumped into the Swale from Richmond Falls.

North Yorkshire Police have now issued a warning after a man suffered serious injuries in a North Yorkshire river today.

Officers were called to The Falls, Riverside Road, Richmond, after reports that a man hit his head while jumping into the River Swale.

The 28-year-old, from County Durham, has been taken to hospital with serious injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

Volunteers from Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, ambulance staff and firefighters also attended the scene and assisted with the rescue from around 1.20pm today.

Richmondshire Inspector Mark Gee said the river was fast-flowing due to water from a recent storm running down the valley.

He said: “I would urge people to be sensible in the sun and water during the current hot weather.

“There is still a lot of water in the River Swale following the recent downpours and the river can be a dangerous place.”

Insp Gee thanked members of the public who provided refreshments to police and other emergency service workers at the scene today.

He added: “I also want to thank volunteer members of the Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team who assisted with the rescue.

“We train for incidents such as this in the River Swale and this was another successful multi-agency operation.”