AN 18-year-old man died after getting into difficulty while swimming at Linton Falls.

Emergency services were called to the beauty spot on the River Wharfe, near Grassington, at around 7.44pm on Friday.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: "Police were contacted with a report that an 18-year-old man from Bradford was in difficulty in the water at Linton Falls.

"Members of the public were reported to be attempting to move the man to safety and providing lifesaving assistance. Officers arrived at the scene at 7.55pm and a local Police Community Support Officer provided CPR until Yorkshire Ambulance paramedics arrived shortly after. Despite the efforts of the emergency services at the scene, the man sadly died.

"A file has been prepared and passed to the Coroner."

A spokesman for the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association which also attended said: "The team was called to an 18-year-old male in difficulty whilst swimming in the River Wharfe at Linton Falls.

"North Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were all on scene.

"The team co-ordinated the rescue with the fire service. CPR was administered by the rescue services but unfortunately the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident."

The spokesman said 14 team members attended the two-and-a-half-hour rescue attempt.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said three crews, from Grassington, Skipton and Lofthouse, and a water rescue team from Ripon were called to a report of a man in the water.

Martyn Hughes, a watch manager with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, tweeted: "Despite frantic efforts by many, we were unable to save the young man. Thoughts very much with family and friends. Sadly another water-related death at one of our natural beauty spots."

And Grassington Fire Station wrote: "The falls and river at Grassington through to Linton and Burnsall is beautiful, it can be tempting on hot days to take a dip, but please beware of the hidden dangers in moving cold water."