Water safety experts have spoken out after a racegoer jumped into the River Ouse in York.
The man, in a suit and tie, jumped in early evening on Saturday, after the end of the Music Showcase at York Racecourse.
His actions sparked a quick response from both the York Rescue Boat volunteers and the police.
Although he managed to pull himself out via one of the ladders, the trained volunteers from the rescue boat were on the scene within seconds.
They said his actions put him at serious risk.
Operations manager at York Rescue Boat Mark Rochester told YorkMix: “We witnessed a male on Saturday evening climbing over the wall on Ouse Bridge and jumping into the river near to the King Arms.
“Our boat was immediately on scene, as the male self rescued by the ladder on King’s Staith.
“Our crew gave first aid and words of advice and he was also spoken to by North Yorkshire Police.”
Mark added: “The river is at its lowest it has been all summer and this brings underwater dangers.
“And even though it is warm weather at the moment the risk of cold water shock is also still a big factor.
“What could start as a bit of a laugh can quickly turn into tragedy.”
We reported last week from the inquest of a 19-year-old man Evan D’Andilly who drowned in the Ouse in March last year, despite being a strong swimmer.
Comments from people on Facebook who saw Michael’s picture included: “If they had seen the death rate in the Ouse they may have thought again.”
Another wrote: “As a keen magnet fisher I would never jump in any river. You just never know what has been thrown in to it.”
Others called for people who did this to be given an on-the-spot fine.
