A MAN has died after trying to swim across the River Crouch.
The man, 21, entered the river near Ferry Road, Hullbridge, yesterday afternoon.
He got into difficulties and disappeared beneath the water after he had swam about three quarters of the way across at about 2.30pm.
A massive rescue mission, involving three helicopters, was launched to save him.
The man, who lives in the Chelmsford area, was eventually recovered shortly before 4.30pm. He was given emergency care before being rushed to Southend Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The man’s brother, who alerted emergency services, was watching him from the shore as he went in. It is not clear why the man was attempting to cross the river.
The rescue effort involved police, the fire service, paramedics, coastguard and two RNLI lifeboats.
An air search was carried out by a police helicopter, which was joined by Essex Air Ambulance and a helicopter scrambled from RAF Wattisham.
FULL STORY AND PICTURES IN THURSDAY'S ECHO
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