Boat skipper tells of bridge jump rescue (From York Press)

Boat skipper tells of Lendal Bridge jump rescue in River Ouse, York

9:35am Wednesday 22nd August 2012 in News

A BOATMAN has told how he and his workmates rescued a man who jumped from Lendal Bridge into the River Ouse.

The four-man team of Yorkboat were at their yard near the bridge at about 4.50pm yesterday when they heard a splash and saw the man in the water.

Passenger boat skipper Craig Price, said: “A few lads threw rings for him, and he wouldn’t go anywhere near them.”

The man, believed to be in his 30s and wearing jeans and a polo shirt, swam off after talking to the boatmen.

Video courtesy of BBC News

Crew members Graham Walton and Jonathan Egan got into one self-hire boat and maintenance manager Chris Agar and Mr Price got into a second and went after him.

“We came up behind him and pulled him out by the belt, into the boat,” said Mr Price. “He was shattered, just a sodden lump. He wasn’t doing much but sobbing.

“He wouldn’t really speak to us, we tried chatting to him. I think he was just really tired by that point.”

Firefighters, paramedics and police were called to the river and were waiting on the bank when the boatmen brought the man to safety.

City council leader James Alexander, who saw the drama unfold from a Guildhall window, said he saw a scuffle before the man was led away in handcuffs.

“Although I hope he makes a full recovery, I hope this serves as a warning to others who attempt to enter the river,” he said. “My praise goes to the Red Boat employees and emergency services involved.”