Brit kayaker dead & 2 rescued after ‘getting into difficulty’ in French river as helicopter launched in desperate search
A BRITISH kayaker has died after getting into trouble in a French river.
The man, in his 50s, was kayaking with a group when his flipped over and he got into difficulty.
Emergency crews launched a search operation after reports of kayakers “in difficulty in the river” near Briançon, southeastern Frace, on Tuesday afternoon.
Police helicopters were deployed to search for the stricken group, according to local reports.
Three people were eventually found struggling in the river Durance, with two of them trying to help the third who was said to be unconscious.
Rescue crews pulled two of the kayakers out unharmed.
But the third, a British man, could not be resuscitated.
It is understood he was an experienced kayaker.
The kayakers were part of an organised group on the river, Dauphiné Libéré reports.
Authorities in France have launched an investigation into the incident.