Walker swept to his death over waterfall

A walker was swept to his death over a 70ft waterfall after he tripped and slipped into the river while admiring the view, police said today.

David Heron, 58, was walking with his wife along the River Tees towards High Force Waterfall, in Teesdale, County Durham, around 2pm yesterday afternoon when he paused to take some photographs.

A spokesman for Durham Police said Mr Heron, from Dykes Way in Gateshead, went to the edge of the viewing platform at the popular beauty spot, which is one of Britain's biggest waterfalls, when the accident happened.

He said: "It seems he tripped and stumbled.

"He then fell around 70ft into the water from where his body was recovered later in the day by a fire and rescue crew."

It is believed a member of public went into the river to help Mr Heron on the other side of the waterfall, by which time he was dead.

The force spokesman said police believed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Heron's death and there was every indication it was a tragic accident.

The coroner has been informed and an inquest into Mr Heron's death will open at a later date.