Wiltshire 999s
  • Wiltshire news
    • Incidents
    • Courts
  • West Country news
  • News near you
    • Swindon
    • Chippenham
    • Trowbridge
    • Salisbury
    • Find your area >
  • Support
    • Mental health helplines
    • Domestic abuse helplines
  • More
    • Community
No Result
View All Result
Wiltshire 999s
No Result
View All Result
Home Wiltshire news

Man jumped into River Avon in attempt to save woman after hearing cries for help

byDaniel Jae Webb
19 September 2020 | 4.27pm
Man jumped into River Avon in attempt to save woman after hearing cries for help
Share on FacebookPost on XSend via WhatsApp

A Chippenham man risked his own life jumping into the River Avon in a heroic attempt to save a woman from drowning on Thursday afternoon.

The 41-year-old passerby reportedly heard the woman’s husband shouting for help after she fell down a steep three-metre-high embankment and into the water near Riverside Drive.

The woman, in her 60s, was clearly drowning prompting the hero — who hasn’t yet been named — to dive in after her. But the sheer steepness of the river banks meant waiting for help from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Emergency services at the scene in Riverside Drive, Chippenham, at 1.30pm on Thursday
The area in which the woman, in her 60s, accidentally fell down a steep bank into the river

Despite the best efforts of local paramedics and Wiltshire Air Ambulance critical care medics, she died shortly after being pulled from the water. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Friday, a bunch of roses were laid next to the river where the remains of police crime scene tape dangle from trees and bushes following the horrific incident just 24 hours prior.

Flowers were laid following the tragic incident where 999 crews battled to save a woman’s life

Some local residents told Wiltshire 999s that prominent warning signs — similar to what you would find at a cliff edge — should be installed to prevent further accidental deaths. Others were concerned signage would ‘ruin what is a work of nature’.

“We don’t let our grandchildren play out on the field near the river due to the risk of them falling into the water and a simple rescue being near-impossible”, a homeowner commented.

In June, an elderly woman from the local area left her home at 4am and was found floating face down in the river at the same location approximately four hours later. It’s not clear if she deliberately entered the water or fell in.

In June, a woman’s body was found in the same area of the River Avon – just off Riverside Drive

Are you the man who bravely dived into the water in an attempt to save her life? We’d like to speak to you. Contact the newsdesk day or night on 07794 802 940.

Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and get breaking news sent directly to your mobile – don’t forget to turn on notifications by clicking the bell icon.

Click a topic to read more stories like this:

Tags: AmbulanceChippenhamFire & RescueRiver AvonWiltshire & Bath Air Ambulance

TOP STORIES

  • All
  • Wiltshire news
  • Wiltshire courts
Joyriders smash BMW into Swindon play park and set it on fire
Wiltshire news

Joyriders smash BMW into Swindon play park and set it on fire

byDaniel Jae Webb
17 June 2025 | 6.26pm
0

...

Read moreDetails
Police race to A350 roundabout after hot air balloon suddenly lands

Police race to A350 roundabout after hot air balloon suddenly lands

17 June 2025 | 3.35pm
Royal recognition for Wiltshire constable’s missing person tech

Royal recognition for Wiltshire constable’s missing person tech

16 June 2025 | 11.31am
Patient who climbed onto Devizes rooftops ‘detained’ after 32 hours

Patient who climbed onto Devizes rooftops ‘detained’ after 32 hours

12 June 2025 | 3.50pm
Man, 49, arrested following paedophile hunter sting in Swindon

Man, 49, arrested following paedophile hunter sting in Swindon

17 June 2025 | 8.45am
  • About us
  • Complaints
  • Contact us
  • Contributor terms
  • Privacy policy
Reporting reality.

All content © State Six News Limited, unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved. | Wiltshire 999s is a trading style of State Six News Limited. Company number: 16190242. | Registered company address: Suite A, 82 James Carter Road, Mildenhall, Suffolk, IP28 7DE.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • 999 News
  • Court News
  • West Country news
  • News near you
    • Swindon
    • Chippenham
    • Trowbridge
    • Find your area
  • Info & Help
    • Wiltshire Flood Warnings
    • Domestic abuse helplines
    • Mental health helplines
    • Court reporting
  • About & Contact
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • WhatsApp alerts
    • Contributor terms
    • Complaints
A TIP-OFF