Fish dead in oxygen-starved river

Hundreds of fish died after storms forced sewage into the river

Hundreds of fish have died in a South Yorkshire river after a collapse in water oxygen levels.

Environment Agency officers are trying to save remaining stocks but fear all the fish in a stretch of the River Don from Rotherham to Doncaster could die.

The low oxygen levels are a result of dry weather followed by heavy rain on Sunday night which caused sewage from storm overflows to enter the river.

In the worst-affected stretch, oxygen levels have dropped to 20%.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "Fish were clearly seen gasping for oxygen at Mexborough Low Lock, situated below the confluence of the River Don with the South Yorkshire Navigation.

"The problem started near Rotherham and has moved down the river through Sprotborough and is now in the Crimpsall area of Doncaster."

Specialist equipment

An agency team is deploying emergency equipment to pump large amounts of hydrogen peroxide into the river to increase oxygen levels.

Jane Parry, area environment management team leader, said: "Abnormal weather patterns of a lengthy period of dry weather and then very intense rainfall have caused sewage to enter the river and now we are doing everything we can to save fish stocks.

"We are monitoring oxygen levels at Crimpsall Sluice until we are satisfied that the river is recovering.

"The river in this location is a very valuable conservation area and provides a wonderful recreational resource for anglers. We are doing all we can to preserve it."