Canoeist drowns on River Severn

A canoeist is understood to have drowned after getting into difficulty on the River Severn near Newtown.

Firefighters, ambulance and police crews were involved in a rescue and recovery operation on the river between Newtown and Abermule after being alerted at around 12noon yesterday.

The specialist boat rescue crew from Welshpool was joined by firefighters from Newtown, Llanidloes and Aberystwyth.

They spent three hours involved in the incident.

Dyfed Powys Police was unable to comment on the incident but said it would release a statement later today.