HIGH water levels at Golitha Falls may have contributed towards the death of a canoeist at the popular beauty spot on New Year's Day.

Emergency services including a rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor in Devon went to the scene in the Draynes Valley just after 3pm when it was reported that a solo canoeist had fallen into the water.

The man, who was later named as experienced canoeist David Smith, 49, was pulled from the water by the helicopter winchman and airlifted to hospital in Plymouth where he was pronounced dead.

An eyewitness to the rescue attempt, Ian McDonald of Tremar, who had been out walking with his wife, said: 'It was a tragic and dramatic scene to come across with a very unfortunate outcome. However I have to say "hats off" to all the emergency services for what they did, especially the helicopter crew and their winchman who carried out a highly dangerous manoeuvre above the trees with great skill.'

Mr Smith had been visiting the area from Stourbridge in Worcestershire. His death while canoeing alone at the falls was the first of two tragedies to strike the Wyre Forest Canoe Club during the holiday – on Monday a second member, Steve Wall, 46, died during a solo trip on the River Teme in Herefordshire.

Mr Smith, who had been a member of the club for 16 years and was a qualified instructor, had been staying in Cornwall with his family over the holiday period.

High rainfall had raised water levels at Golitha Falls, creating additional 'white water'.

David Wells, of the Port of Plymouth Canoeing Association, said this week it was the time of year for white water. 'If you have experience and confidence, there is no reason not to go on your own.'

But he added that the Plymouth club, which has sent its condolences to Mr Smith's family and to its colleagues in the Wyre Forest, recommends that three people take part in such trips so one person can stay with the casualty while another goes for help.

Brett Robinson of Looe coastguards, who were called to the scene as part of the rescue effort, said it had been the second call-out of the year for his colleagues, who had earlier on New Year's Day been called to a suspected body in the Looe River which turned out to be a discarded fancy dress costume.

The recovery of Mr Smith had been a multi-agency incident also involving fire, police and ambulance personnel.