A ROWER who died after suffering a heart attack while rowing down the River Dee with his work colleagues has been named.

At just before 8pm on Wednesday (June 13) a 56-year-old male was taking part in a corporate rowing event with colleagues from Essar in Ellesmere Port when he suffered a heart attack and fell into the water.

The man, who has been named as Mal Parker, of Ellesmere Port,  was pulled out of the water and the emergency services were called.

Shocked crowds and fellow rowers who had been practising close to the Grosvenor Rowing Club at the time of the incident watched as firefighters from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service helped paramedics administer CPR to Mr Parker on The Groves.

Mr Parker was then taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital, where he later died following the heart attack.

Grosvenor Rowing Club said everyone was deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic incident.

Staff at Essar in Stanlow confirmed a member of their work force had died and that everyone was deeply saddened and shocked.

Cheshire Police spokeswoman Shelly Williams said: "At just after 8pm on Wednesday, June 13 Cheshire police and other emergency services were called to a report of a man having collapsed at Grosvenor Rowing Club, Chester.

“Sadly the man died after experiencing medical difficulties. There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident. The deceased was 56 and local to the Ellesmere Port area. His next of kin have been informed."