AN elderly man and a dog were taken off a sinking barge by firefighters at Gargrave.

Both Skipton engines were called out at around 12.30pm yesterday after reports were received of a man unable to get off of a narrow boat, which was taking in water while in the lock of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

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Two appliances and ten firefirefighters spent about two hours getting first the dog and then the man, who had mobility issues, off the hired boat to safety.

Another man and a woman, who were also on the boat, had managed to get off before the firefighters arrived.

Tony Peel, Skipton fire station manager, said water had to be pumped from the boat, which was in danger of sinking.

"Everyone was fine, and there were no injuries," he said.