Retired Army colonel dies in canoe capsize

Father-of-two Andrew Pullan, 47, was canoeing at Whorlton Lido, near Barnard Castle, on Saturday when his boat capsized.

He was pulled from the river by his instructor and given first aid before being flown to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he died on Sunday.

Colonel Pullan commanded the former 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment between 2006 and 2008.

He was Mentioned in Despatches for his actions in Iraq in 2003, where he served as a Major with the King’s Regiment.

He had recently retired from the Army and leaves a widow, Mel, and two children, Ben and Hanna.

Durham Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

A spokesman for the Yorkshire Regiment said Colonel Pullan had been canoeing with his brother-in-law when the accident happened.

Former Army colleagues from across the country have left messages in tribute on the Yorkshire Regiment’s Facebook page.