AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after police, paramedics and firefighters were sent to the wrong location in what was described as ‘an unacceptable error’.

The emergency services were called on Monday at 5.25pm after a man’s body was found in the Oxford Canal.

But crews rushed to the canal by Hythe Bridge Street in Oxford instead of the correct waterway in Cropredy more than 30 miles away.

Thames Valley Police spokesman James Williams said yesterday: “Unfortunately officers were initially dispatched to the wrong location in Oxford city centre. This was soon rectified and officers arrived at the correct location at 5.57pm.

“We are extremely concerned at what happened and we have launched an immediate internal review to determine what caused the error.

“Clearly this is not acceptable and our priority is to understand how this happened so we can ensure we do everything possible to prevent it happening again.”

He added that the force had sent officers to 1,463 incidents that day and it was an “isolated error” and the force was “sincerely sorry”.

South Central Ambulance Service spokesman Michelle Archer said: “Initially we were sent to Hythe Bridge Street in Oxford. However, that was an incorrect location and it was quickly rectified. We were given that information by the police.”

The man, who was pronounced dead at the scene, had last night not been identified.