Video: Woman's life saved after daring rescue against the clock in Wisbech

A WOMAN S life was saved after the helicopter crew successfully pulled off a daring rescue against the clock.The force control room was contacted at 8.25pm yesterday by the family of a woman who had entered the river somewhere near Crab Marsh in Wisbech.

A WOMAN'S life was saved after the helicopter crew successfully pulled off a daring rescue against the clock.

The force control room was contacted at 8.25pm yesterday by the family of a woman who had entered the river somewhere near Crab Marsh in Wisbech. With the tide coming in and the woman stuck waist-high in mud, she telephoned her family for help.

All emergency services on the ground could not see her, or identify where she may have entered the river.

Ambulance crews, the fire service, Spartan Rescue and a duty officer from the port harbour were called. With the tide rising, the police helicopter used its infra red technology to locate a heat source from the river bed.

When the helicopter located the woman at 9pm only her head was visible above the rising water.

The helicopter crew landed on the bank next to the woman, threw her a rope and pulled her free where she was then taken to hospital for treatment.

Chief Superintendent Andy Hebb said: "I'm sure the two officers and pilot who conducted this rescue would say they are only doing their job, but this was police work at its best.

"This was a co-ordinated, successful effort to find a vulnerable person which demonstrates the value of having this aircraft. With the tide rising fast, without the swift actions of the helicopter crew using their overhead view to full advantage, we would not now be talking about a successful rescue, but an unfortunate tragedy.

"When the helicopter landed, only the woman's head could be seen with the rest of her underwater and stuck in the mud.

"These officers should be very proud of their actions."

* Video footage of the dramatic rescue should be available on this website later today.