A Quayside bar manager has spoken of the moment she saved a teenager from drowning in the River Tyne.
Amber Hutton from Heaton, sprung into action to help the young reveller who had fallen into the river close to where she works at The Urban Garden last Thursday (June 15). The 24-year-old heard her colleague shouting for help at around 8.50pm and grabbed a throw line from behind the bar.
Amber remembered her water safety training that she’d learned from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and the RNLI and used the life-saving device to bring the teen to safety.
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"I was a bit in shock at the start of the incident as I always hoped that I’d never have to do it for real but I knew from the offset that I needed to get the rope and throw-bag as close to the person as possible," she said.
"I remember trying to get the young man’s attention, as I watched him lying on his back with his eyes closed, going in and out of the water. He was unresponsive."
She continued: "I threw [the throw line] out three times and the splash in the water from the last attempt seemed to wake up the young lad, who then managed to cling on to the rope for dear life.”
The incident happened close to the Millennium Bridge and once the man managed to grab onto the rope, Amber and four members of the public helped to pull him to safety, and he managed to climb up the nearest set of ladders near to the scene.
Firefighters from Byker and Newcastle Central then helped the man to shore who was then assisted by paramedics and Northumbria Police.
Amber has worked at The Urban Garden for three years and in that time has twice received water safety training through the Waterside Responder Scheme delivered by TWFRS and the RNLI. The scheme provides crucial throw line training to staff associated with companies at waterside locations.
“I think the training is a necessity for everyone who works in the waterside hospitality sector as it should be our responsibility and loyalty to our patrons to keep them safe," Amber said.
“It was a relief and an amazing feeling to know that I helped to save a person’s life.”
TWFRS water rescue lead Tommy Richardson praised Amber's quick-thinking and spoke of the importance of having throwlines close by.
FF Richardson said: “First and foremost we are relieved this incident did not result in tragedy as we could easily have been talking about a fatality in the water.
"This was a fantastic intervention by the Urban Garden employee who put her training to the test and deployed the throw-line in really good time.
"The throwline did its job. It helped secure the man in place and gradually bring him closer to the ladder where he could self-rescue with the assistance of firefighters.
"This week is the launch of Drowning Prevention Week and this incident shows the value of the Community Responder Scheme, and why waterside businesses should be seeking to train their staff.
"But we also want to make clear that entering the water under the influence of alcohol can be very dangerous. Alcohol and drugs can seriously impair your ability to stay safe in the water.
"The River Tyne is also not an appropriate stretch of water to go for a swim and that is why we have invested so heavily in the Quayside. We are glad that investment is proving its worth."
