A WOMAN was moments from drowning when she was saved from the chilly waters of the River Severn.

A member of the public spotted the woman struggling in the river and flagged down PCs Darren Ball and Sean Haines, who were driving to Worcester police station.

The pair dived in - with Leading Firefighter Keith Peters - after the woman failed to catch a lifebelt they had thrown and began to sink.

"From what we could see, she was on her last legs," said Mr Peters. "She was struggling. She had just come back up and was about to go under.

"This was a very fast rescue. We just went out and grabbed her. It was over in a minute," added Mr Peters, who praised the entire team, including the 11 firefighters from Worcester's blue watch, who took part in the rescue shortly before midnight on Saturday.

After wading knee-deep through the mud of the riverbed, the rescuers carried the woman up the steps by North Quay.

She was given first aid for the early stages of hypothermia before being taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital by ambulance.

"She was conscious and breathing," said an ambulance spokeswoman.

The woman refused treatment and discharged herself.

Police do not know why she went into the water.

The rescue came less than a month after 21-year-old trainee structural engineer Lee Muldowney, of Dilwyn, near Leominster, drowned after leaping off Worcester Bridge.

Mr Peters reiterated the warning for people to stay out of the river, which was dangerous "even at summer levels".

"It isn't so much the speed of the river, it's still very cold and that takes people unawares," he said.

"People won't last very long in there, no matter what time of year it is.

"This was a dramatic rescue, but it all went like clockwork."

Ian Johnston, owner of the nearby Severn View Hotel, did not witness the drama but condemned people anyone who deliberately jumped into the river as "utterly crazy".