The 37-year-old, of Swillington, was pulled from the River Calder.

More than 30 firefighters battled to save him and three others but he was declared dead hours later.

The party of four were tipped out of their boats and pinned against a treacherous weir in the fast-flowing river at Calderside Works, Ellen Holme Road, Luddenden Foot, at 11.45am on Saturday.

The three other canoeists, thought to be in their 30s, were taken to Calderdale Royal Hospital suffering from hypothermia. They are expected to make full recoveries.

The men, who were in inflatable boats, were trapped in the waterflow, leaving them stranded in the middle of the river.

One struggled to keep his unconscious friend from drowning by holding his head above the water. Another managed to get out and raise the alarm, triggering the huge rescue operation which involved police and fire crews from Illingworth, Elland, Brigh-ouse, Leeds, Bingley, and Cleckheaton and specialist water rescue teams.

Maintenance engineer Richard Nowell, 59, was working at nearby VTL Automotive and jumped in the river before emergency services arrived.
He said: "It was a normal day then somebody ran in shouting for some rope and I followed him out.

"One man started to float down the river, hit some rocks but then got freed and kept going.

"I just jumped in, waded across and grabbed him.

"I was wearing my overalls and the water was waist-deep, fast and bloody cold but I didn't think about anything. I just had to get him out of the river. I'm not a hero or anything like that. The man was unconscious and anybody would have jumped in."

Mick Smith, incident commander, said: "When we arrived there were three men in the water stuck under the weir and one who had got himself to the bank.

"One man was holding his friend's head out of the water.

"Somebody who had lost consciousness began to float down the river.

"It was a very difficult rescue operation and very dangerous, particularly as the water levels were so high."

Geoff Crossley, water rescue commander, said: "Weirs are notoriously dangerous. You get water movement called a 'stopper', where boats can get trapped and it is extremely difficult to escape."

On the bank, the man was treated by paramedics, and taken to Calderdale Royal Hospital where he later died. The Leeds man has not been named.

A police investigation is under way but officers said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Roger Blanchard, of Halifax Canoe Club, said he did not believe the men were linked to any Calderdale canoeing clubs.

"It is one of the more problematic weirs in the area. You have to be mindful of what you are doing and the risks involved, and I am sure they were.

"Sadly, tragic accidents like this can sometimes still happen.

"On behalf of all Halifax Canoe Club members I would like to pass on our condolences to the family of the deceased and his fellow paddlers."