[Niamh.]

Woman hailed a hero for saving child (3) who slipped into river 'when she was looking at fish'

A FEMALE pedestrian was hailed as a hero today after dramatically rescuing a child which had slipped and fallen into a river in an Irish city centre.

The three year old girl was walking with an au pair at 12 noon in Cork city centre when she suddenly ran forward to gaze at fish swimming in the River Lee.
However, before the au pair could grab her, she had slipped on a wet surface and apparently slid directly beneath safety railings and into the river.

The incident occurred near Brian Ború Bridge with the nearby streets packed with shoppers, commuters and holiday makers.
A female passerby saw what happened and immediately jumped into the water to rescue the child.

The au pair was also about to jump into the water but was urged by other pedestrians to remain on shore to assist with the rescue.
The brave woman, who is in her 30s, grabbed the child in the water and managed to get to the quay wall which she used as a support to keep both afloat until the emergency services arrived.

Fire brigade officials said the woman's actions required remarkable quick-thinking and stamina.
A male pedestrian rang the emergency services and stayed on the quay wall above the stranded pair to offer encouragement.

Cork fire brigade units and Gardaí were at the scene within minutes.
The woman and child were both removed from the river having spent less than five minutes in the water.

Medical treatment was given at the scene to both the woman and little girl.
Both are understood to have avoided serious injury in the incident.

However, as a precautionary measure both were taken by ambulance to the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) for precautionary medical assessment.
The child was uninjured but deeply shocked by her narrow escape.

Both are expected to be discharged this afternoon.
Gardaí and Cork fire brigade paid tribute to the incredible courage of the female passerby and stressed that, but for her quick-thinking and bravery, the incident could have had a tragic outcome.

The major rescue operation triggered after the accident including the launch of RNLI lifeboats.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news...-34732667.html

[Smithy]

Niamh posting news stories about herself again

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Smithy

Niamh posting news stories about herself again

Such a hero I am

[LeatherTrumpet]

Wow brave lady

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Such a hero I am

Well done Niamh

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Well done Niamh

[arista]

What a Great Lady

[Ammi]

....awww amazing....obviously the child is only 3 years old now but when she's older, she'll realise that lady's act fully..what a great thought and how emotional if she met her again in later life.....

[Cherie]

We don't appreciate Niamh enough

[Ninastar]

My god if it was the child I nanny for who fell in, I'd have jumped in straight away. I guess I understand why the au pair stayed on the bay or w.e but yeah, without a second thought I'd be in there!

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Ammi

....awww amazing....obviously the child is only 3 years old now but when she's older, she'll realise that lady's act fully..what a great thought and how emotional if she met her again in later life.....

Amazing story and it would be really nice to think they would meet up again in later life I agree.

[Kizzy]

What a hero, I'd give the au pair the push though :/