A woman is counting her blessings after surviving a harrowing ordeal in which her car plunged 14 feet into a freezing river.
The dramatic rescue unfolded when a passer-by heroically jumped into the icy waters to assist her before emergency services arrived.
The incident occurred near the River Tavy in Tavistock, close to Plymouth, Devon, at approximately 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3.
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The woman’s vehicle had veered off the road, tumbling down a steep embankment and into the river.
Witnessing the accident, a courageous bystander wasted no time in leaping into the river to aid the driver, braving fast-moving, deep water in a selfless act of heroism.
Emergency responders soon arrived at the scene, deploying ladders and specialized rescue equipment to safely extract the woman from her vehicle.
Crews then used winches and straps to stabilize the car before removing it from the river.
The driver, whose condition was assessed at the scene, was subsequently taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
The extent of her injuries has not been disclosed, but it is understood she was fortunate to escape without life-threatening harm.
A spokesperson for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service detailed the complexity of the rescue, noting the extensive resources required.
“Two crews from Tavistock, supported by Yelverton, Bere Alston, and the specialist rescue team from Camels Head, worked together to bring the casualty to safety,” they said.
“The vehicle had gone over a four-meter drop into the river, presenting a significant challenge.”
The spokesperson also praised the passer-by who intervened, emphasizing the risks involved.
“A special thank you to the lady who jumped into the river to provide assistance.
She put her own life at risk in fast-flowing, fairly deep water to help someone in need,” they added.
The operation involved a coordinated effort among firefighters, paramedics, police, a local doctor, and a recovery team to ensure both the woman and her vehicle were safely recovered.
Emergency crews expressed gratitude for the swift actions of everyone involved, which likely prevented the incident from becoming more tragic.
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SOURCE: Lucky-to-be-alive woman saved after car plunges 14ft into freezing river
