North East Canoe Instructor Dies

A canoe instructor from Darlington leading a group of students has died after one of the boats capsized in the river.

Police were called to the scene near Yanwath Hall in Penrith, Cumbria, at 12.40pm yesterday where they found the party of 11 pupils from the Manchester area and five instructors.

The male instructor, in his mid-20s, was taken by air ambulance to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary but later died.

A 14-year-old boy was taken to Cumberland Infirmary with non life-threatening injuries. None of the other members of the group required hospital treatment, police said.

A Cumbria Constabulary spokeswoman said: ``Police are able to confirm that the instructor involved in the incident yesterday when a canoe capsized sadly passed away last night.

``Police are in contact with the family and will confirm identification in due course.''

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the incident.