Published: 21 January 2013

By RICHARD OSLEY

FIREFIGHTERS rescued a man from freezing waters in Regent's Park yesterday (Sunday) after he fell into a lake trying to rescue his dog. 

Specialist equipment was used to winch the man to safety at around midday. He was treated for shock and hypothermia but the dog could not be found.

Jim Knighton, the Brigade's Assistant Commissioner for Operational Procedures, said: "To put it bluntly, it's extremely fortunate we weren't faced with a fatality yesterday. If people fall into an icy lake, hypothermia will quickly set in and they won't survive for very long."

He added: "People with dogs should keep them on a lead and keep a close eye on them. It's so easy for dogs to run off and end up in difficulty as we saw in London yesterday. If a pet ends up in trouble, call 999 and stay put, rather than attempting to rescue it yourself. Ice may look sturdy enough to stand on and it usually isn't and easily breaks."

In a separate incident elsewhere in north London, a man was rescued from the boating lake at Alexandra Palace while trying to retrieve his dog. The dog was later found on the island in the middle of the lake.