A MAN had to be resuscitated after taking part in a river prank between four and five o'clock in the morning earlier this week.

The 33-year-old man, Ben Bryant, had been racing with a woman across the Looe River.

He was pulled from the waters by the 22-year-old woman who resuscitated him before the emergency services arrived. The woman has not been named by the emergency services.

Police said Mr Bryant, from West Looe, was 'lucky to be alive' following the 'reckless' act.

He remained unconscious for two days after getting into difficulty in the river on Sunday.

Looe Harbourmaster Jeff Penhaligan said: 'It shows the danger of swimming in the river. I have a lot of problems with kids but this shows the danger of water and alcohol.

'I have a difficult enough job getting kids out of water, let alone people following an alcohol-fuelled night.

'It is dangerous water, with a strong current and boats going in and out.'

The pair, described as 'drinking friends' by police, had been attempting to race across the river at 4.40am on Sunday when the incident occurred.

'They went in of their own accord,' said Joe Head, spokesman for Devon and Cornwall police. 'The female made it there and back. It looks like they were having a race.'

Police were called at 4.45am and seven officers attended the scene, as well as ambulance crews.

Mr Head said: 'At this time of night, when alcohol is involved, the man could have lost his life.

'We would extremely advise against it as it puts those saving them at risk too.

'It may seem like fun at the time but it is a stupid and irresponsible act. It is reckless.

'This man was lucky and is making a full recovery – but others may not be so lucky.'

Yesterday, Mr Bryant said he was 'recovering happily' at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.