A MAN was taken to York District Hospital suffering suspected hypothermia after falling into the River Ouse.

Police officers and an ambulance crew discovered the man looking "chilled" beside the river at St Mary's car park just after 10pm last night.

A police spokesman said he had managed to get himself out.

An eyewitness on Scarborough Bridge had reported the 28-year-old heading towards Lendal Bridge in the water at about 10pm last night.

A North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue river vessel scoured the Ouse supported by 14 firefighters and a team of police officers.

The police spokesman said: "We had officers at various points on the river but fortunately he managed to get himself out.

"He was very cold and taken to hospital."

The man's condition was not believed to be serious.

Updated: 11:58 Wednesday, February 13, 2002