MYSTERY rescuers pulled a distressed and confused 45-year-old man from the fast-flowing waters of the River Kent in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The rescuers waded into the river at Nether Bridge, near the Cock and Dolphin pub, Kendal, to pull the man from the dark and swollen river.

When the emergency services arrioved, the man was already out of the water and the mystery rescuers disappeared into the night.

Fire Officer Bruce Greenbank said the drama took place just after midnight and, as he and two fire crews arrived, they saw the man lying on a rock shelf 10ft (3m) down a steep embankment.

"We pitched a ladder down on to the shelf which enabled us to get down to the man who was in some distress," he said.

Rescue lighting and safety lines were quickly set up, and a stretcher lowered to the man, before he was pulled out at the junction of South Road and Milnthorpe Road.

FO Greenbank said: "He was struggling to stand up and shivering a lot. He was in some distress and confused."

The man was then taken to Westmorland General hospital, despite having no visible injuries, and later discharged.

Ambulance spokesman Phil Graham said it was still unclear why or how the man had been in the Kent.