The body of a man has been reportedly seen in the river in Newton Poppleford.

The body of a man has been reportedly seen in the river in Newton Poppleford.

Emergency services were called by a member of the public who reported she saw a body in the water while walking over a footbridge near Back Lane at about 3.20pm on Tuesday (December 11).

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: “Local units and offices are now attending the area to see if they can locate a body.”

Bryan Rayner said: “My wife Pauline was walking over the footbridge to the Post Office going from Harpford towards Back Lane in Newton Poppleford. She said she saw a man’s body in the water but she couldn’t be sure if he was alive or not.

Sidmouth Herald: Police on the scene in Newton Poppleford. Picture: Clarissa PlacePolice on the scene in Newton Poppleford. Picture: Clarissa Place (Image: Archant)

“She was very shocked and she went and knocked door so she could report it as soon as possible.”

Sergeant Andy Squires said: “At the moment we have got an unconfirmed sighting that a male body has been seen floating down the river. We have to treat it as genuine. We arrived about 3.30pm, ten minutes after the initial call.”

An air ambulance has been spotted on the scene along with police officers, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and South Western Ambulance Service who are all helping to undertake a search of the area.

Eye witnesses have reported spotted emergency services on the scene in a boat and two helicopters.

Sidmouth Herald: A police helicopter flying over Newton Poppleford. Picture: Clarissa PlaceA police helicopter flying over Newton Poppleford. Picture: Clarissa Place (Image: Archant)

More to follow.

Sidmouth Herald: Police on the scene in Newton Poppleford. Picture: Clarissa PlacePolice on the scene in Newton Poppleford. Picture: Clarissa Place (Image: Archant)