A man who plunged into the River Thames yesterday was rescued safely but then died from a heart attack brought on by shock.
Witnesses spoke on Twitter of seeing several police cars, a helicopter and divers involved in the rescue.
The man, aged in his 50s, was plucked from the cold water by officers at Kingston Bridge, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey, shortly before 3pm.
Speedboats were scrambled to the scene to mount the rescue operation after passers-by dialled 999 for help.
It was understood witnesses saw the man jump from the bridge into water.
However, despite saving him from drowning, the emergency services were unable to prevent his death from a heart attack at Kingston Hospital, police said last night.
They declined to reveal his identity but added that the man’s relatives had been informed of his sudden death.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “At this stage, the death is being treated as unexplained until the facts can be established.”
