A PENSIONER was rescued by his partner and a kind hearted passer-by this afternoon after falling head first into the River Severn in Worcester.

The 73-year-old from Dudley was in the water for a few minutes after he slipped in while mooring his boat near Worcester Rowing Club.

His partner feared he would be crushed by the wash against the side of the boat but apart from feeling a bit chilly the man didn’t suffer any injuries.

He said: “I have lived on a boat for about six years in the past and I have never fallen in. We were mooring up for the night. Whilst I was tieing up I just gently slid in head first."

A rescue boat from Worcester and one from Droitwich were sent along with a team of first responders from Malvern, the police, fire and ambulance service but the man was safely out the water when they arrived.

A paramedic stayed at the scene with the man to ensure he was well.