A MAN clinging onto a tree after being swept away by flood water was able to ring his rescuers from an Apple watch.

The man was riding home from work shortly before 4.30pm on Thursday, January 21 when the incident happened.

He crossed the Rotherwas footbridge before the power of the flooded River Wye took the bike from under the man and swept him away.

He was carried a mile down stream before being able to grab hold of a tree and call for help through his watch.

Station commander Sean Bailey said that help was already on its way after bystanders had seen the man being swept away.

"He was seen by some people who were looking at the flooded river through their binoculars and called us," said Mr Bailey.

"We were directed to Outfall Works Road and then we were deployed further downstream as he was swept away.

"There was also a couple who could hear him shouting for help and they also kept a visual contact.

"The man managed to get hold of a submerged tree and then rang fire control for help from his watch.

"That helped direct us as he was able to see our boat coming. When we were aware that the man was talking to fire control we knew he was concious and breathing.

"Obviously he was very cold and wet, we had good light and were keen to get to him.

"We knew we had somebody who was savable and that he could see the boat."

The firefighters rescued the man and brought him onto the river bank where he was assessed and taken to Hereford County Hospital.

He was released later that evening.

"He was very lucky and fortunate somebody was looking out of their bedroom window at the river," said Mr Bailey.

"The outcome could have been very different if he had not been seen or able to make contact.

"I think him being able to ring us was reassuring for him holding on as he knew the boat was coming.

"Psychologically that is going to help. If he had let go there was a strong amount of water and he might have bypassed a second rescue boat further downstream.

"The low temperature of the water would have been a risk and he could have got dragged under by debris."

Mr Bailey said that technology such as the man's Apple watch and other devices can help the rescue service.

"The technology is brilliant and eventually lots more devices will have GPS on them which will help us," he added.