A drunk cyclist was taken to hospital after falling off a bridge and having to be rescued by fire crews.

Kingsbridge police officers were called to New Bridge, Embankment Road, near Kingsbridge, to assist the ambulance service at around midnight on Sunday night to Monday morning, September 9 to 10.

New Bridge, known locally as Bowcombe Bridge, despite the real Bowcombe Bridge being a couple of hundred meters up stream, is popular with sightseers and youngsters who can jump, when the tide is in, to the water below.

The cyclist, however, was not so lucky and had fallen into the estuary mud. Once rescued, he was taken to Derriford Hospital by land ambulance, with a serious leg injury.

Fire crews from Kingsbridge and Salcombe, along with a specialist appliance from Exmouth helped rescue the man. Prawle Point Coastguard Rescue and an air ambulance also attended but were not required.