Police divers find body of elderly man who fell in lake while fishing

AN elderly man died after falling into the water while fishing at Chew Valley Lake in Somerset last week, it has emerged.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to Woodford Lodge restaurant in Chew Stoke at about 11am on November 8, amid fears for the man, believed to be in his 80s.

He was understood to have entered the water while fishing at the edge.

An initial search of the shallows failed to find the man.

The incident was then passed over to Avon and Somerset Police, who deployed their underwater search team.

They discovered the pensioner’s body the following day.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “The matter has been referred to the coroner as a sudden death, non-suspicious.”

In a statement, Bristol Water – which manages recreational and fishing activities at the lake – said: “This was a very sad day and the thoughts of everyone at Bristol Water are with the friends and family of the gentleman.”

It added: “Our local lakeside team assisted the emergency response and police operation at the lake and we will continue to assist in any way with further investigations.”