Women stripped to rescue fisherman
TWO women stripped down to their underwear and jumped into the River Plym to rescue a late night fisherman.
Hayley Merrick and friend Lisa Highfield both aged 20, plunged into the water at Laira Bridge to help the man, after he got into difficulty at around 11.10pm on Sunday.
Miss Merrick said she was in the area with a group of friends when she spotted the man, in his 50s, fishing.
“Splash was the next thing I heard,” she said.
“He was face down in the water and he wasn’t moving at all.”
A split second later both women were throwing off their clothes and running for the water.
“Lisa came running down saying ‘where has he gone?’,” said Miss Merrick, a care assistant.
“As soon as she saw him she stripped down and I said she couldn’t go in on her own.
“The water was really warm but I don’t know if that was just the adrenaline.”
The heroic women helped the fisherman to a ledge where they waited for around 30 minutes for the emergency services.
“It was quite deep where he first fell in but we stood with him on rocks and seaweed,” said Miss Merrick.
“The tide was coming in as well, it could have been a lot worse.”
Fire crews from Plymstock and Greenbank, as well as police and an ambulance were called to the scene at Prince Rock.
“When we got there the man was almost crouching in the water, it was knee deep,” said Plymstock fire station Watch Commander Steve Hill.
“Two women had stripped to their underwear and were in the water looking after him. It was an unusual sight.”
The crews used a triple extension ladder and dry suits to rescue the fisherman, who was in his 50s, from the river. Nobody was injured in the incident.
“The two women did a great job to go in there,” said Watch Commander Hill. “They could have stood on the side but they got in and helped him out. It was quite a heroic action.”
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by Noneya, Middle of Nowhere USA
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 9:15PM
“Just wait, they'll be getting a bill/fine for breaching some Health and Safety Law soon enough...Thanks to the Farkers at Fark for linking this story!
P.S. EVIL!”
by Saira, Plymouth
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 7:10PM
“Well done girlies, v. proud of you!!”
by Robinson, on my island
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 5:40PM
“Well done girls :)
Please come and rescue me as well ;)
But realy, you've made my day. You both deserve a medal, i'm sure that other people would have turned away and left him to it. Once again, well done.”
by John, Chicago
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 4:15PM
“Hayley,
Shedding outer clothing and shoes was the standard when I trained for water rescue 50 years ago. How can you swim and help another individual when weigheted down with water soaked garmets.
Keep up the good work.”
by Kat Oz, PLY
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 4:06PM
“Well done girls, ignore all the other people saying bad things and listen to the people who admire your act of courage. Well done, this man and his family must be so happy and your families must be so proud of you both.
WELL DONE!!”
by Stu, Plymouth
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 3:32PM
“Well done girls, extremely brave act.
Can't wait to see you in your Wonderwoman outfits.”
by pete, plymouth
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 2:06PM
“good on ya girls, i just hope that if i ever find myself in that situation that someone like yourselves is there to help me....i also hope that your actions have a positive effect on others to think about how they can help others instead of just walking on by!!!”
by Dave, Devonport
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 1:59PM
“Well done girls,ignore some of the idiots here,they don't have a life away from their keyboards.
Whatever the circumstances and how dangerous it might or might not have been most in Plymouth would just walk past,it's that kind of place.Nice one.”
by Hayleyq, Plymouth
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 12:47PM
“Oh and John from Chicago its not a restricted area anyways :)”
by Hayley, Plymouth
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 12:46PM
“loves ya too kyla and chloe! Thankyou so much for the support on here guys you have made me feel alot better now. The other comments wernt nice..if the situation came about again i still wouldnt give it a second thought no matter who it was :) Thankyou to lisa aswel wouldnt have been able to do it without you X”