The Ministry of Defence Marine Police Unit went to the aid of a distressed man who was travelling by boat on the River Tamar last night (Wednesday).

At about 7pm the MOD Police were asked to help Devon and Cornwall Police to find the emotionally distressed man.

He was in a private boat travelling up river from Saltash Moorings. At one point the boat was seen to be out of control and unstable, but attempts by police to stop the boat failed.

Eventually the man entered the water where he got into difficulties.

He was pulled from the water by MOD Police officers in a rigid inflatable boat.

The man had an injury to his abdomen and was taken to Derriford Hospital by ambulance.