A WOMAN died after being swept away by the River Swale at Richmond yesterday.

A witness dialled 999 after seeing her fall into the fast-flowing current at the waterfall below the castle at about 9am and police were on the scene within minutes.

Officers tried to reach her as she was washed beneath the Mercury Bridge a few hundred yards downstream.

But she was too far from the bank and they were forced to follow the river by patrol car, calling in the fire service which helped with more rescue attempts.

Eventually, the woman was washed towards the north bank at the Broken Brea Caravan Park where, now unconscious, she became snagged on a log.

Fire crews and a police underwater search unit managed to reach her and carry her to waiting paramedics who began attempts to resuscitate her. She was then taken to the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, where she died.

Police had still to confirm her identity last night. Inspector Charles Kaye said: "We're not yet sure how she came to be in the water. At the moment, it seems there are no suspicious circumstances."