Woman saved from Tyne river by new £10k 'lifesaving throwbags'

Emergency services rushed to the scene at 1:15am at the Quayside in Newcastle and used one of 14 new ‘throw bags’ that have been installed along the river this month to rescue anyone who falls into the Tyne.

The £10,000 investment came from Newcastle City Council working closely with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue service to deliver the equipment from the Redheugh Bridge to Ouseburn, replacing existing life rings that were regularly stolen and vandalised.

Read more: Grieving father praises installation of life saving bags along Tyne River

A woman has been saved by new “lifesaving” equipment after she entered the water in the early hours of Saturday April 22.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at 1:15am at the Quayside in Newcastle and used one of 14 new ‘throw bags’ that have been installed along the river this month to rescue anyone who falls into the Tyne.

The £10,000 investment came from Newcastle City Council working closely with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue service to deliver the equipment from the Redheugh Bridge to Ouseburn, replacing existing life rings that were regularly stolen and vandalised.

Officers from Northumbria Police were first at the scene and deployed one of the new throwbags to secure the woman in place as a fire boat brought her to safety.

Group Manager Steve Thomas, of TWRS, has now praised crew from Northumbria Police, Byker Community Fire Station, and the North East Ambulance Service for bringing the woman to safety.

He said: “Thanks to the swift actions of police, paramedics and firefighters, a woman was brought to safety and did not suffer any life-threatening injuries. I want to say a huge well done to everyone involved.

“It is excellent to see that this equipment is already saving lives, but this is no surprise to us, we carry throw-bags on every fire engine and know how effective they can be.

“Our thoughts remain with the woman who found herself in the water and we wish her well with her recovery.

“This story brings home how dangerous the water can be and we would encourage everyone to read up on the water safety tips we have been sharing as part of ‘Be Water Aware’ week. It could save your life.”

The installation of the new throwbags was included in the ‘Be Water Aware’ campaign launch running from April 24-30 and is spearheaded by the National Fire Chief’s Council.

Campaigners including TWFRS will also run a free water safety event at the Newcastle Quayside market on April 30 between 11am and 3pm.

PC Peter Wilson, of Northumbria Police’s Maritime Policing Unit, said: “We are pleased that the woman was successfully brought to safety and wish her well throughout her recovery.

“This was a fast-moving incident that showed how blue-light partners and other organisations can work effectively together to help those who come into trouble in the water.

“The installment of these new throw-bag boards along the banks of the River Tyne is something we welcome, and can only further help us to keep our communities safe and ultimately save lives.”

The installation of the equipment was also backed by grieving father Nick Pope, whose 19-year-old son tragically passed away in 2018 when he drowned in a Manchester canal.

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Following the loss of his son, Nick now advocates for water safety and has welcomed the installation of the throwbags.

He said: “Everybody naturally thinks that they can come to no harm and that they will never end up in the water. You think to yourself, it only ever happens to other people and other families. We thought that, until it happened to our family.

“The one piece of advice I would give, is where you can, please avoid walking close to water on your way home. Choose another route. Even in Newcastle at the quayside on a night out, you don't need to be close to the water.”