Underwater search for man who fell into River Aire in Leeds

Police were continuing to search the River Aire on Monday

Police are searching the River Aire in Leeds for a man who fell into the water at the weekend.

Emergency services were called at 11.40pm on Saturday after concerns were raised for the safety of a 23-year-old man.

It is thought his location at that stage was unclear, but 45 minutes later police received a report of a male falling from a bridge into the river near to Bridgewater Place in Water Lane.

Officers attended along with the police helicopter, firefighters and paramedics.

The man was seen being carried along by the river but then went out of sight near the Royal Armouries.

An extensive search of the river was conducted but the man was not found.

A police underwater search unit is continuing to check the waterway today (Monday).

Detective Inspector Ian Lawrence, of Leeds District CID, said: “We are keeping the missing man’s family updated as we continue our search of the river today.”

The incident comes a month after Kalist Musinga, 50, of Burmantofts, is thought to have fallen into the river after his work Christmas party. Mr Musinga is still missing.