Woman rescued after river fall

A pensioner was rescued from a riverbank by fire-fighters and a mountain rescue team after being pulled from the water by a member of her walking group.

Fire-fighters from Rochdale, Bury and Heywood were called to Ashworth Road, Heywood, at 12.30pm on Tuesday 22 February.

A 73-year-old woman had slipped in the mud on the riverbank, banged her head - knocking her unconscious - and she fell into the river.

Although shallow, the river was fast flowing and she was swept someway down stream.

A 61-year-old man, who was with the group the woman had been walking with, went into the river after her and pulled her to the side.

Crews used ropes and, with two members of the mountain rescue team, rescued both the woman and the man.

The woman was taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment to a head injury and she was suffering from hypothermia.

The 61-year-old man was seen by paramedics but declined the offer of being taken to hospital.

Watch Manager Nick Griffin, based at Heywood Fire Station, said: "The man from her group thought quickly and was very brave - he ran down river, got to her, got her out and, with those actions, he undoubtedly saved her life.

"We'd ask other walkers to take care along riverbanks as it can be very slippy and, as this incident shows, it is vital that you walk as part of a group because those people could save your life."