A man was spotted floating in the water at Teignmouth Docks early this afternoon.

Police were alerted after the man was seen from the Quay Road area of the docks.

The sighting was made at 2.12pm.

A police spokesman said coastguards had been alerted to help officers retrieve the man from the water.

Emergency services were lining the riverside in preparation for the operation.

The man was recovered from the water by 3pm and flown by Devon Air Ambulance to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital at Wonford.Police said efforts to resuscitate the man were made by paramedics at the docks.