A family of four are recovering from hypothermia after their canoe capsized in an "icy cold" river.
The father, 49, mother, 37, daughter, 12, and son, eight, were taken to hospital after the near-disaster on the River Avon, close to Bath.
Great Western Ambulance Service were called at 2.35pm on Friday with a report that at least two people were in the water at Bathford.
A paramedic in a rapid-response vehicle was sent, backed-up by two ambulances.
Paramedic Andy Richardson, who was first at scene, said: "When I arrived I found four patients, all out of the water. A passer-by kindly helped me to get the family over a fence so I could begin to assess them.
"They had been in the water for up to 15 minutes so were really very cold and already suffering from hypothermia. With the current temperatures the water is icy cold so I would urge the public to take extra care when near any body of water."
It is not clear why the canoe capsized but all four patients were taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath for further checks and treatment.
