He was found hanging onto a rock in the fast-flowing cold water
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A 12-year-old boy was rescued after falling into the River Caen near Braunton in North Devon earlier this afternoon (January 4). Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police and the fire service responded to a call just after 2.00pm and on arrival found that the boy had fallen into the Caen and was hanging onto a rock in fast-flowing water.
A rescue was launched which required fire service personnel from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service to don 'wading suits' before entering the river and bringing the young boy to safety with the help of a triple-extension ladder.
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He was reportedly "very cold and wet" but fortunately was uninjured. A spokesperson from Devon and Cornwall Police said it was a "timely reminder to warn your children about the dangers of entering fast-flowing water particularly at this time of the year when the temperature is dangerously cold.
"A big well done to his two friends who ran up to Braunton Police station to raise the alarm."
A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "One fire appliance from Braunton, one from Barnstaple and the Special Rescue Team from Barnstaple were sent to a report of a child in the river near the playground on Chaloners Road, Braunton.
"The twelve-year-old child was rescued by Fire Service personnel using two wading suits and a triple extension ladder."
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