EMERGENCY services tried in vain to save the life of a man who was rescued from the River Ayr.

The early morning drama happened at 12.05am on Friday, February 5 when the 45-year-old man threatened to jump into the water.

The man had already thrown himself off the bridge into the fast flowing water before local police and specialist water rescue teams from Ayr Community Fire Station reached the incident.

Local Fire and Rescue Station Manager, Derek Davidson, said: “Police and Fire and Rescue personnel entered the water and managed to remove the man to the edge of the river after he had been swept some 500 metres downstream. Unfortunately at that time he was unresponsive and as such was given CPR by our colleagues in the Scottish Ambulance Service before being removed to Ayr Hospital for critical treatment.”

The man’s body was recovered and he was taken by ambulance to Ayr Hospital but by 5.10am Emergency Services had been advised of his death.

Mr Davidson added: “We unfortunately attend a number of incidents in the vicinity of the River Ayr and the harbour where people have either fallen, or more often than not have jumped into the water from one of the bridges within the local area. The water is a very hostile and dangerous environment.

“There are various risks and hazards below the surface and at any time of the year, never mind in the current winter months the temperatures are dangerously low and can result in rapid hypothermia or cold water shock setting in which can very quickly prove fatal for the casualties.

“I would urge all members of the public to keep a safe distance from water courses in the local community and do not enter them under any circumstances.”

As there are no suspicious circumstances, the name of the man has not been released.