EMERGENCY workers last night urged the public to be wary near rivers after two dramatic rescues in a week.

Two campers were rescued yesterday after heavy rain led to rising water levels, trapping them on an island in the middle of the River Swale, near Marske, in Swaledale.

An RAF helicopter was scrambled and the pair were winched to safety and carried to a nearby field.

Campers Doug Palfreeman and Laura Burke were drenched but unhurt in the ordeal.

The pair paid tribute to the firefighters and helicopter crew.

Mr Palfreeman said: "They were all absolutely brilliant and we can't thank them enough."

The rescue comes only days after a 15-year-old boy was pulled to safety from the River Swale in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

The boy was seriously injured while jumping into the river from a 30ft cliff on Sunday.

Onlooker Jeff Dean, 20, from Quarrington Hill, in County Durham, jumped in to save the teenager after he landed on rocks and fell into the river.

Last night, firefighters issued a warning.

Crew manager Craig Miller, who oversaw yesterday's river rescue, said: "Time and time again, people fail to give water the respect it deserves.

"This rescue is just the latest we have had to deal with recently."

Richmond station commander Nigel Phillips said: "The Swale is the fastest river in the country and is continually catching people unawares.

"Just because the water is low where they are, doesn't mean it isn't dangerous.

"Rain further up the dale can make the water level rise considerably in a matter of minutes.

"We advise people not to go in water deeper than their knees. Any higher, and it can knock you off your feet and you could be in serious trouble.

"Many people fail to take rivers seriously. They can look so idyllic, but people fail to realise they are as dangerous as fires."

Mr Phillips said many people got into difficulties attempting to rescue others.