British kayaker dead and two rescued after ‘getting into difficulties’ in French river

A British kayaker has died after allegedly getting into difficulties in a French river.

The man, in his 50s, was on a kayaking group trip on the Durance river near Briancon, in the southeast of France, on Tuesday afternoon around 3pm.

But he got into difficulty in the water after his kayak flipped over, local media reports. 

Two others reportedly dove in after the man to try and save him as he appeared unconscious, according to witnesses.

Emergency crews, including a rescue helicopter, were deployed and successfully rescued two of the kayakers, while the British man could not be resuscitated after he was pulled out of the river. 

The man reportedly was an experienced kayaker and was part of an organised group of ten, according to local reports. 

He reportedly got into difficulty just ten minutes after the group got into their kayaks. 

‘I confirm the death of a man of English nationality,’ public prosecutor Marion Lozac’hmeur told outlet Dauphiné Libéré.

An investigation into his death has been launched by the local authorities.

The water reportedly was at a high level because of melting snow and could have been a factor in the man getting into difficulty. 

MailOnline has contacted the Foreign Office for comment.