A woman has sadly died after going missing while swimming with friends in the River Avon in Worcestershire yesterday (Wednesday 14 June).

Police were called at 4.50pm yesterday afternoon after the woman, who was in her 70s, couldn’t be found having entered the water at Cropthorne Mill in Fladbury, near Evesham to swim with friends.

Police officers, and colleagues from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, responded and extensive searches were carried out – including the use of the police helicopter.

Sadly her body was recovered from the river shortly after 7.30 this evening.

There are no suspicious circumstances.

Superintendent Sue Thomas said: “This is a terribly sad incident and our thoughts are with the woman’s family and friends.

“Extensive searches were carried out in the water and the surrounding area after she was reported missing and we understand that the amount of emergency response may have caused some alarm in the area but we can confirm that the woman’s death is not being treated as suspicious.”