Dog-walker praises river rescue heroes (From Western Telegraph)

Dog-walker praises river rescue heroes

8:30am Sunday 15th July 2012 in County News

A local woman plucked from the River Teifi in a dramatic rescue last week has heaped praise on the emergency crews who saved her.

Janine Daley was walking her two dogs along the river path near Hammet House, Llechryd, on Wednesday morning when the earth crumbled away and she fell into the fastflowing river.

Unable to climb out to safety, Janine was able to dial 999 despite the lack of signal on her mobile-phone.

She said: “I walk the path regularly. It was bad decision making and complacency.

I tried to walk around a muddy section and my foot took away the edge of the path.

“It was the most frightening thing that has ever happened to me. Everything I grabbed at was so slippery and my phone was waterlogged.

It was such a vulnerable position, and frightening being alone there.”

Janine was in the water for an hour and a half before the emergency services could reach her and bring her to safety using specialist equipment.

She said: “I am only here because of the services they provide. They were absolutely brilliant, so professional, careful and kind.

“They put their own lives at risk to help me, the enormity of that is amazing.”

Janine was taken to hospital by ambulance to be checked, and says she is shaken but relieved and otherwise fine.

She added: “I was amazed at how well all the emergency service worked together. I can’t thank them enough. I just want to give them all a huge hug. They were absolutely fabulous.”

Cardigan, Crymych and Carmarthen fire crews were called to the scene at 7.50am. They were joined by swift water rescue teams from Aberystwyth and Carmarthen. Police, paramedics and an RAF helicopter also attended.