Ice bucket challenge gone wrong: Man almost dies after leaping into freezing river

                            
A 21-year-old British man almost died, after leaping into a freezing river, while trying to carry out a different kind of ice bucket challenge. He had to be rescued by a passing boat after jumping into a freezing river during an alternative ice bucket challenge.

Carl Pritchard, from Stanley, Durham, had to be rescued by a passing boat after being nominated by friends to take part in the challenge.

Although the ALS Ice-bucket challenge involves participants pouring a bucket of freezing water over their heads, Pritchard decided to go a different route by jumping into ‘River Tyne’, while his friends filmed the moment on camera.

But once he got into the freezing river, he began struggling to cope with the cold water and tidal currents. His friends, who were standing nearby on the quayside, were unable to help him.

After repeatedly screaming for help, a power boat racer taking part in a nearby Grand Prix event had to rescue the man from the water.

The team managed to pull Pritchard from the water and he was treated by a paramedic before being transferred to a local hospital.