Woman, 51, rescues drowning man

Miss Lewis said it felt wonderful to have rescued the teenager

Police have praised the heroics of a 51-year-old woman who jumped into the River Tyne to save a drowning teenager.

Anne Lewis was walking near Prudhoe, Northumberland, when she saw Michael Nixon struggling in the water.

As she swam out, the 18-year-old vanished under the surface, but she managed to grab his arm and hold on to him until onlookers threw out a rope.

Northumbria Police said Miss Lewis had been very brave, and warned against the dangers of swimming in open water.

The Environment Agency worker was walking her dog in Tyne Riverside Country Park, Low Prudhoe, on Sunday when she saw the teenager in trouble.

Mr Nixon said: "I went a bit too far in, got a gob full of water, panicked and went under. I thought: 'I've lost it, I can't get through this'".

Miss Lewis grabbed a life buoy, and jumped into the river.

Mr Nixon said he panicked and 'went under'

She said: "I'd seen that boys were swimming but I thought they were just larking around because they were splashing and shouting.

"Then I realised one was in big trouble so I just went and fetched a lifebuoy and ran back then swam out.

"Before I got there, he'd sunk, but I spotted some bubbles and I reached down and caught his arm and pulled him up."

Miss Lewis said it felt wonderful to have saved the teenager, who she described as a "lovely lad".