A MAN has been hospitalised after jumping into the River Irvine on Sunday.

The incident happened at around 2pm on the bridge at Marress Road, with the 37-year-old man swimming to safety before being pulled out.

He was treated by paramedics at the scene before being moved to Crosshouse Hospital.

Police cordoned off the road during the incident, with fire crews, paramedics, the Ardrossan Coastguard and the Largs RNLI all being called to the scene.

A police spokesperson said: “We can confirm that about 2pm on Sunday, November 2 Police Scotland received reports of a man standing on the wrong side of the bridge over the river at Marress Road, Irvine.

“Officers attended and requested the assistance of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team and the Scottish Ambulance Service. The road closure was implemented to allow the emergency services to deal with the incident safely.

“A short time later the 37-year-old man entered the water before swimming to safety and being pulled from the water. He was taken to Crosshouse Hospital for assessment.” An Ardrossan Coastguard spokesperson added: “We were requested by police at around 2pm on Saturday because there was a man on the wrong side of the barrier at the River Irvine.

“We went to the scene and as our team arrived he was already in the water.

“He was taken in to the hands of the paramedics at the scene and from there was conveyed to Crosshouse Hospital.” It is understood that the man was given a clean bill of health by medical staff.