A MAN has drowned in the River Lune while trying to rescue his dog.

Father-of-two Philip Smith, 49, was trying to save his springer spaniel, which got into difficulty between the weir and Denny Beck Bridge at Halton, Lancaster, on Saturday afternoon.

It is understood Mr Smith, who could not swim, fell into the water as he tried to reach the dog.

A passer-by raised the alarm and emer-gency services were called, but Mr Smith died later at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

His dog survived.

Mr Smith, of Lythe Fell Avenue, Halton, had worked for the past two-and-a-half years as a night driver for Tuffnells in Carnforth, Leslie Gibson, of Tuffnells, said: “He was a man who always had a smile on his face and he will be sadly missed by everybody.

“His friends are devastated.

“Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family.

“We cannot imagine how they must feel.”