Hero passersby rush to aid of Good Samaritan clinging to woman

EXCLUSIVE: Incredible moment passersby rush to the aid of Good Samaritan hero gripping onto woman who climbed over Barnes Bridge – before the group heave her to safety

• For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to samaritans.org 

This is the incredible moment a woman was pulled back from the brink of falling into the Thames by hero Good Samaritans. 

A young woman had clambered over the railings of Barnes Bridge in west London and was poised above the fast flowing river when she rescued by passing members of the public.

The woman, in her late 20’s, was pulled back to safety and was rushed to hospital by ambulance shortly after 10.30 yesterday morning.

Eye witness Antonia Hawke captured the dramatic rescue unfold on her mobile phone.

She told MailOnline: ‘I had just got off the bus at Barnes bridge and I saw this lifeboat coming up stream really fast with blue lights flashing.

A young woman had clambered over the railings of Barnes Bridge in west London and was poised above the fast flowing river when she rescued by passing members of the public

The woman, in her late 20’s, was pulled back to safety and was rushed to hospital by ambulance 

‘I turned around and saw a commotion on the bridge.

‘I could see a person hanging off the bridge with their feet dangling.

‘There were a number of people trying to pull her back on to the bridge.

‘At the same time there were two people walking underneath the bridge.

‘They saw the commotion above them and one of them in a white shirt run up to the bridge to help in the rescue.

‘With his help and within moments they were able to pull the poor soul back on to the bridge and to safety.

‘I’m not sure how long the others could have held on without that chap’s help.

‘A police car had also pulled up and two policemen also ran across the bridge to help.’

RNLI Thames Commander Glen Monroe told MailOnline: ‘A woman was in a state of distress and had gone to Barnes Bridge’

Concerned onlookers had alerted the local RNLI boat at Chiswick to the drama.

RNLI Thames Commander Glen Monroe told MailOnline: ‘A woman was in a state of distress and had gone to Barnes Bridge.

‘She had climbed over the railings and was on the edge.

‘Members of the public grabbed hold of her and held her until our boat got there.

‘They managed to pull her back onto the bridge.

‘When they arrived our crew went ashore and gave the woman a medical check up.

‘She had not suffered any physical injuries but she was put in a stretcher and taken to hospital by ambulance.’

Ms Hawke, a marking director, added:’ It’s sad that anyone should reach a point where they have no other option that to jump off a bridge.

‘I’m so glad that those people went out of their way to help her.’

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to samaritans.org. 

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