A TEENAGER who helped prevent a vulnerable woman jumping into the River Ouse has been nominated for an award by lifesavers.

Manor CE Academy student Liz Cooper, 14, from Knapton, was walking with her parents near North Street, York, when they saw the 45-year-old woman climbing over the barrier towards the river last October.

The family, from Knapton, were on their way to celebrate Liz’s father’s birthday when they stopped to talk to the woman before police arrived.

Dave Benson, chairman of York Rescue Boat, has nominated the teenager for the Spirit of Youth and Person of the Year categories in the York Community Pride Awards.

He said: “Liz was walking with her family along the River Ouse in York when they came across a female who had climbed over the barrier by the river with the intention of taking her own life.

“While her mother was on the phone to the police, Liz took the initiative.

“Knowing the dangers the river can possess and the vulnerable state the female was in, she calmly talked the female out of jumping.

“Liz’s actions certainly aided in preventing a tragedy.

“As the chairman of York Rescue Boat, I am fully aware of the dangers the river can pose and also the unpredictable nature of a vulnerable person and this is why I believe Liz would be a worthy recipient of this award.”

The Press reported the incident shortly after it happened and spoke to Liz about her selfless intervention.

“She wouldn’t come down for my mum or her friend and I said if she didn’t get down I would start crying and she said ‘don’t do that, you remind me of my daughter’” explained Liz.

“I was just acting on instinct to get her away and distract her. It just came naturally to try and distract her from whatever she was thinking about that was making her want to jump.

“When we sat down she started talking and seemed fine. She’d had a bit to drink but seemed cheerful enough and kept telling me I had hair like her daughter.”

The awards are run in partnership with City of York Council and the primary sponsor is Benenden.

All Community Pride nominees must live in, or contribute to life in, the City of York Council area. Around three finalists from each category will be invited to the awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October, when the winners will be revealed.

You can make a nomination online at yorkpress.co.uk/communitypride. Entries must be submitted by Friday, July 17.

Samaritans can be contacted on 08457 90 90 90.