A Tory minister has been hospitalised after sustaining a head injury in a canoeing accident.
Plymouth MP Johnny Mercer was admitted to hospital after posting a picture of himself with a bleeding forehead.
Last Friday he tweeted a picture of himself next to the River Tamar after he had capsized, saying: "I think it's important in life to work out what you're not good at, as well as what you are.
"Canoeing would seem to join that rather long and illustrious list for me."
He said he would continue along the river from "top to bottom."
But on Sunday the swelling had got so bad he went to Plymouth's Derriford Hospital, where he was told he had an infection and needed minor surgery.
Describing the accident, he said: "I went over a weir that was broken half way down, and I capsized and smashed my face on the bottom of the river."
And last night, he tweeted again: "Turns out head injury was pretty serious, and I've been hospitalised since Sunday.
"Out today; just wanted to say huge and heartfelt thank you to the brilliant staff and management at Derriford Hospital. Outstanding care and compassion, even for the biggest wimp they've seen this year."
Defence minister Mr Mercer told the BBC he was "fine" but his recovery would be "slower than I had hoped."
Mr Mercer was enjoying a trip on his own in the South West beauty spot after he and wife Felicity welcomed their third child Audrey just under two months ago.
She was born on June 27. Mr Mercer said on Instagram at the time: “A gift from heaven on Armed Forces day.
“In awe of my beautiful wife. Welcome to the world Audrey.”
The Ministry of Defence offered its own support at the time, tweeting: “Massive congratulations to Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer and his family who celebrated Armed Forces Day in style with the birth of his daughter Audrey.”
