FIRE boat crews scrambled to save a man from the icy depths during a dramatic river rescue on one of the coldest days of the year.

The man in his 50s was pulled from the River Severn near Severn Street in Diglis, Worcester by boat crews during a race against time on Thursday night.

Hypothermia can set in within minutes in freezing conditions and a casualty's body temperature drops below 35C.

No information has been provided by police, paramedics or fire crews about how the man came to be in the water.

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Due to the swift response of fire crews and paramedics, the man was treated for injuries 'not thought to be life-threatening' and taken by ambulance on blue lights to Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester where he received further treatment. 

Worcester News: SCENE: The River Severn viewed from Severn Street where the incident took place SCENE: The River Severn viewed from Severn Street where the incident took place (Image: Instant Google Street View)

The rescue occurred on one of the coldest days of the year when freezing temperatures prompted the opening of a night shelter for rough sleepers on four consecutive nights because of the risk to life.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol has been active in Worcester since January 16 and the shelter will be open tonight (Friday), tomorrow, Sunday and Monday.

Rescue dogs and a drone were used to try to find the man in the river.

A spokesperson for the West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called by the fire service to reports of a person in the water off Severn Street in Worcester at 11.53pm.

"One ambulance and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene where, on arrival, they discovered a man who had been pulled from the water by fire colleagues.

"Ambulance staff treated him for injuries not thought to be life-threatening before conveying him on blue lights to Worcester Royal Hospital for further treatment."

A spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "A Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crew from Worcester Fire Station, plus boat crews from Worcester and Evesham, the Service Drone from Ledbury and the Service rescue dog were called at 11.49pm to a rescue from water near Severn Street, Worcester.

"A man in his 50s was rescued from the water by the swiftwater rescue team and handed over to the care of the ambulance service."

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "At around 11.55pm police received a call from Worcestershire Fire and Rescue informing us they were responding to a report of a man in the river.

"A man in his 50s was rescued from the water and taken by ambulance to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital."