Man dies as river boat capsizes in Devon

One man has died and another has been taken to hospital after a boat capsized in a river estuary, police said.

Officers were called to reports of an overturned pleasure boat at Bideford Bar in North Devon at 11.33am today. Paramedics and the Coastguard also attended.

A man, believed to be in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene and officers are working to contact his next of kin, a spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said.

The spokesman said the other man had only "minor injuries" and was taken to hospital in Exeter.

Two dogs were also recovered, but one died.

Swansea Coastguard watch officer Marc Lancey said the men were not wearing lifejackets.

He added: "The area is a known hazard locally and widely (but) the sea was quite calm with light winds."

Appledore lifeboat was launched as well as an RAF search and rescue helicopter. Westward Ho! Coastguard assisted the rescue effort after a nearby boat raised the alarm.

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