Baby Rescue Hero Tells Of River Drama

A passer by who saved a four-month-old baby girl from drowning has spoken of the moment he saw her pram roll into a river in York.

The rescuer, whose identity was a mystery when the incident happened on Thursday morning, was revealed as 46-year-old David Atkinson.

He was assisted in his river rescue by two other unidentified men.

Police believe he almost certainly saved the baby's life.

The 31-year-old unnamed mother was pushing her baby daughter in a pram near Lendal Bridge when she stopped to fasten the coat of her other child.

As she helped the child with her coat, the pram rolled into the river.

Mr Atkinson said: "It felt like it was in slow motion - like something out of a film. I was so scared.

"I ran and tried to grasp the handles of the pram, but couldn't and it went into the water. I thought there is nothing else to do but jump in after her.

"Yes, I was scared, but I had to try. Luckily she wasn't under long. I then just gave the mum a hug - she was so upset. I think I said something daft like 'just make sure she has a good life'."

Police said the mother was shaken and upset by the incident but the baby was unharmed.