Rescue operation launched after car ends up in Cumbrian river

Police have identified the body that was found in the River Kent yesterday as Charles Maurice Mercer, aged 86, of Cartmel, Grange Over Sands.

At approximately 3.45pm on Monday 9th November, on Aynam Road in Kendal, his green Suzuki Jimny left the road, mounted the kerb and collided through barriers into the River Kent.

The river was swollen and fast flowing following heavy rainfall and his vehicle was swept downstream.

The vehicle was submerged and despite an extensive multi-agency search, Mr Mercer and his vehicle could not be located that night.

His vehicle was sighted downstream in the river the next morning, off Natland Road, and the body of Mr Mercer was discovered a short time later a further distance downstream, near Scrogg’s Wood.

A body has been found by police and fire and rescue crews searching for a man believed to have crashed into the river Kent in Kendal.

Cumbria police was called to Aynam Road just before 4pm yesterday after reports an elderly gentleman had been seen trying to get out of his car as it floated down the river.

A runner described seeing a "well dressed elderly man" trying to get out of his car as it was swept downstream. It is believed he managed to get out of the car but told witnesses he couldn't hang on any longer.

The man's car was found as the river level dropped this morning and then a member of the public reported seeing a body entangled in tree branches near Scroggs Wood in Helsington, around a mile further south.

He has been identified as a local man in his 80s. Next of kin have been informed but his identity has not been released. He is not from Kendal.

Police divers are now working to recover the vehicle and investigate how the car left the road.

A body has been found in the River Kent this morning.

It is believed that a man entered the water after the car he was travelling in left Aynam Road yesterday.

Work is ongoing to recover the body.

Police are continuing to make enquiries to locate and identify the driver of the vehicle that entered the River Kent yesterday afternoon.

Officers are searching the river this morning and are being supported by the Coastguard, Fire Service, and the North West Underwater Search team.

A vehicle has been sighted in the river this morning but the river levels are still high. Police are urging members of the public not to go to the scene and not to take part in any search of the river bank due to the extreme dangers.

The incident has also led to some traffic disruption in the area and in the town centre.

Emergency services have launched a major search operation on Kendal's River Kent after a man and his car were reported to be in the water.

Police, firefighters, ambulance crew and mountain rescue team members are currently scouring the river bank for the man who remains unaccounted for.

Police were alerted to the incident and called to Aynam Road in Kendal shortly before 4pm.

Emergency services are currently dealing with an incident at the River Kent in Kendal.

Police were called at 3:50pm to Aynam Road following reports a car had left the road and ended up in the river.

Emergency services are working to establish if anyone is in the water.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

Any witnesses are asked to call Cumbria Police on 101 and quote log number 117.