River rescue hero praised
7th June, 2010
Shaun Howe and another man both leapt into action when they saw the woman, 38, in the Wear at the Riverside Park at Chester-le-Street.
The drama happened just after 2pm on Saturday, with reports that the woman was sitting in the park drinking from a bottle of cider and appeared to be distressed.
A witness then saw the woman in the river and realised she could not swim.
Shaun, of Spennymoor, and the other man got into the water and tried to drag her out but she resisted, saying she wanted to drown herself.
The woman then lay face down in the water near the area of the rapids and was beginning to move down the river.
At this point Mr Howe and the other man- who has so far not being identified- pulled her out of the water.
When police officers arrived the woman was sitting in the water by the bankside. She was extremely cold, wet and barefoot.
The officers completed the rescue by assisting the men to bring her away from the river's edge to safety.
Acting Insp Michael McGowan, based at Chester le Street said today: "I would like to thank Mr Howe for his actions in coming to the aid of this female.
"Without his timely intervention and that of the officers there is no doubt that this would have led to her being swept away down river possibly to her death. She was extremely intoxicated and was incapable of standing unaided.
"I would also like to point out to members of the public to take care and respect the river. It can be very dangerous with shallow parts quickly becoming deep and fast flowing making it hard for even the strongest of swimmers."
The woman was detained under the Mental Health Act.
