More kayakers die in week of river tragedies

THE body of a teenage kayaker who drowned when his boat became trapped under rocks in a fast-flowing river has been recovered.

Simon Fletcher, 19, from Stockton on Tees, became stuck in the River Tay in Perthshire at about early on Wednesday afternoon.

Early attempts to release the teenager failed as the torrent prevented the emergency services from reaching his kayak.

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Police, fire crews and a rescue boat were back at the scene near Grandtully yesterday, where the kayak could be seen on its side under a rock in the middle of the river.

Water levels remained high and conditions were said to be challenging rescuers, who broke up the vessel to release the body.

The teenager was part of a group of kayakers from a club based in Cleveland.

A canoe slalom event due to be held on the river was cancelled as a mark of respect to his friends and family.

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Two other kayakers drowned in the River Clodagh in County Waterford, Ireland on Wednesday night after getting trapped in a weir.

The accidents follow a river death earlier this week.

Final-year Leeds university psychology student Emily Parker, 20, from Doncaster, was with a group on the River Coe near Glencoe in Scotland on Tuesday when her kayak overturned.