A major emergency services operation took place on the river in Bristol this evening (Wednesday), after a body was spotted in the water.
Fire crews, ambulance and police rushed to the scene underneath the Brunel Way bridge between Ashton Gate and Hotwells with police cordoning off a section of the riverside path at Ashton Meadows.
Eye-witnesses said water rescue craft from Avon Fire and Rescue Service launched from both sides of the New Cut river close to the Ashton Swing Bridge and the Create Centre bonded warehouse, and appeared to have located and retrieved a body from the water.
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The grim operation began after 7pm this evening, Wednesday May 4. It involved emergency response vehicles from Avon Fire and Rescue, the water rescue team, the police helicopter, several police cars and two ambulances.
But, according to eye-witnesses, the urgency of the operation was scaled back when it became apparent the rescue would tragically be a retrieval operation.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset police confirmed the sad news. “Emergency services have this evening recovered a man’s body from the River Avon," he said.
"The man’s death is being treated as unexplained but is not currently believed to be suspicious. Enquiries are ongoing.”
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