Human chain saves woman

The woman was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital

Police officers formed a human chain to rescue a woman from a fast-flowing river in Northern Ireland.

The 22-year-old is now in hospital and is being treated for hypothermia after her ordeal in Strabane, County Tyrone, on Saturday night.

The woman and her boyfriend had been walking near Sion Mills when she fell into the River Mourne.

RUC Inspector Andy Lemon said she was quickly washed down stream but then managed to cling to a footbridge.

Inspector Lemon said: "The river at this point is quite deep, it is about 10 feet deep.

"Her boyfriend had tried to get her out of the water but had been unable to do so.

"When the police arrived she had been in the water for a considerable period of time and they found her clinging to the support of a foot bridge.

"Three of the officers climbed over the bridge and by using their belts formed a human chain and managed to pull her to safety.

"Once they got her out, herself and her boyfriend were then taken to Altnagelvin Hospital."