Teenager saved from drowning by brave Anne

May 13 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal

A WOMAN yesterday recalled the moment she bravely swam fully clothed into the River Tyne to save a drowning teenager.

Anne Lewis, 51, risked her own life as she braved icy water to follow the bubbles to where a teenager in difficulty had disappeared beneath the surface.

Miss Lewis, who has no lifesaving skills except a swimming badge she took as an 11-year-old, was walking her dog in Tyne Riverside Country Park, Low Prudhoe, on Sunday when she noticed the man, who had been trying to swim across the river with a friend, struggling.

She said: “I heard a horrible coughing noise and saw a spray of fine water and I realised that he was going to drown.

“I looked around and there was nobody, so I just thought I had better go in. I kicked off my shoes, grabbed a buoy and first walked and then swam towards him.

“All the time I was thinking the cavalry was going to arrive and people would overtake me – but they never did.”

By the time Miss Lewis reached the drowning man, he had disappeared under the surface.

She said: “I just thought that he had gone, but then I saw the bubbles coming up and I reached down to pull him up.

“At that point he just clamped his arms around me because he was so scared, and it was a question of talking to him and getting him to relax, otherwise we would both have drowned. He was sensible and loosened his stranglehold on my neck and I was just able to tread water and keep us both afloat. I looked up and I could see faces on the bank watching, which was horrible because it felt like they weren’t doing anything.

“I shouted ‘Help, we’re drowning’ – it felt like we were out there for ages, but it was probably just a few minutes.”

As Miss Lewis, a biodiversity officer for the Environment Agency, held the teenager above water, his friend, who had initially swum back to shore, returned with a rope and the pair were pulled to safety.

It was as Miss Lewis carried out her rescue she realised she knew the 18-year-old, who has asked not to be identified.

She added: “It doesn’t really make any difference, because when you are out there, you are just rescuing a person.

“But his parents have been round with a big bunch of flowers, and I have had lots of people saying well done, which has been nice.

“It seemed to take forever while we were out there and it did cross my mind that we could both drown, it was pretty scary.”

Both Miss Lewis, who lives in nearby Edgewell Grange, in Prudhoe, and the teenager were treated for shock by paramedics, but were otherwise unharmed.

Quick thinking and courage praised

LAST night police and firefighters praised Miss Lewis for her swift thinking and bravery, but also reminded people of the dangers of swimming in rivers.

Chief Insp David Charlton, of Northumberland Area Command, said: "This was an extremely brave act from a passer-by who risked her own life to save a man.

"It appears the man just lost consciousness but this once again highlights the dangers of swimming in open water.

"Although the air temperature may be warm, rivers can remain icy cold and the shock can lead even strong swimmers to get into difficulty. We would always warn people against swimming unsupervised in open water. If it wasn’t for the quick thinking and brave actions of Miss Lewis, this could have turned into a tragedy."

Brian Hesler, chief fire officer for Northumberland Fire and Rescue, added: "Miss Lewis showed tremendous courage in rescuing this man, although I would stress that entering the water beyond your own depth should always be an absolute last resort when attempting a rescue."