Angmering man dies after river rescue

Peter Hooker, 70, tragically died of his injuries in hospital, last night.

Peter’s son Ashley Hooker has today released a statement praising emergency services for their determined work to save his father.

He said: “Unfortunately my dad never survived from the injuries he sustained from the freezing water temperatures, and he passed away last night in Brighton Hospital.

“We’d like to thank the lifeboat crew, police and all the medical team for their help in rescuing dad and trying to revive him, but sadly his heart never recovered from being in the water for such a long time.”

A 999 call was received at about 12.40pm reporting a man, now known to be Mr Hooker, walking into the River Arun from a set of steps leading off of Rope Walk, in Littlehampton.

Police, paramedics and RNLI volunteers, along with a search-and-rescue helicopter hunted for Mr Hooker, who was later recovered by an RNLI lifeboat at 1pm.

It is unknown why Mr Hooker entered the river. Police aren’t treating it as suspicious.

The coroner has been informed about his death.