Eyewitness video: Policeman strips off to pull woman from swollen river in Leeds

A BRAVE policeman stripped off his jacket and shirt to rescue a woman from the swollen river Aire in Leeds.

The modest officer, who has asked to remain anonymous, climbed 10ft down the banking and was chest-deep when he was able to grab hold of the woman who was hanging onto a sheet in the fast-flowing current.

The officer was in the water 12 minutes yesterday afternoon before firemen in immersion suits were able to pass him a hoist, which he placed around the woman so she could be pulled to safety.

He then pulled himself out of the water.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Police say the woman entered the river next to Leeds Bridge, at the bottom of Briggate, in the city centre.

When they arrived she was clinging to a sheet or blanket, unable to move.

The Aire was many feet above normal height due to the weekend's torrential rain.

The officer, himself a qualified and experienced diver, feared that the woman was struggling to retain her grip and would be swept away.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He tied himself to a throw line - now routinely kept in police vehicles - which was held by a police community support officer colleague, and began the rescue effort.

He removed his police uniform jacket and shirt and climbed 10 feet down the banking and fortunately found a ledge under the water, where he was able to stand chest-deep in the river.

He then grabbed onto the woman and physically held her, unable to do anything else as the fast-flowing water pinned him against the wall.

The officer was in the water for 12 minutes before firemen in immersion suits were able to pass him a hoist, which he placed around the woman so she could be pulled to safety.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The officer then pulled himself out of the water, and both were taken to Leeds General Infirmary by ambulance. The officer was later discharged, and the woman has been kept in for observations.

Superintendent Paul Money, of the City and Holbeck Division, said: "The brave actions of not only this officer but of other neigbourhod policing team officers, the fire and rescue Service and members of the public, have no doubt saved this woman's life, and they are to be commended for their efforts.

"The conditions in the river were even more dangerous than normal during the weekend, and were it not for their actions I am in no doubt that this incident would have resulted in certain tragedy.

"Unfortunately our officers face challenges such as this on a very regular basis, and the message has to be clear - the river and waterways are extremely dangerous and members of the public using the local areas should always take caution.

"Thankfully yesterday's incident was resolved successfully, but the next person may not be so lucky."