A WOMAN who found herself trapped in the banks of the River Usk was winched to safety by emergency services today.


Around 60 bystanders gathered round the scene near the Millennium Bridge in Newport, as the woman was lifted from the muddy banks on a stretcher.


Fire crews from Duffryn, Malpas and Maindee were called to the scene at 2.33pm with Gwent Police, the Coastguard and Wales Ambulance Service also called in support.


Congested traffic built up around Friars Walk Shopping Centre during the rescue, as more than 10 emergency service vehicles attended and the woman was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital by ambulance.


A Coastguard spokesman confirmed that a helicopter from St Athan, in the Vale of Glamorgan, attended along with two specialist support teams and a lifeboat.


The response reflected the “unknown” state of the woman’s injuries at the time of the call out, but as rescue progressed, emergency services were able to retrieve the woman with a rescue line and rescue equipment.


A South Wales Fire and Rescue spokesman added that the casualty was in the mud 15 metres from the water and was rescued by fire crews with help from the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), before being handed over to paramedics on scene.


“The Coastguard rescue team and Coastguard rescue helicopter were in the area on standby,” he added.


Former St John’s Ambulance employee, Ivor Herbert, 92, of Duffryn, spotted the rescue after getting off a bus near Friar’s Walk.


“I’m an ex-ambulance man myself and the rescue team were marvellous," he said. "They were very quick in getting here and getting her out of the water."


Eyewitness Beverley Donovan, 51, of Clarence Place, added: “All the rescue teams have been fantastic. 


“The support from people here has been good too and I’m just waiting to see if the lady in question is ok and show some support.


“The people of Newport are marvellous, they may not have much but they will do their best to help”. 


A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed they were called at 2.40pm to reports that “a woman had become stuck in mud” on the banks of the River Usk.


“Members of the special operations response team and Hazardous Area Response Team attended the scene and the woman was conveyed via emergency ambulance to the Royal Gwent Hospital," he said.

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UPDATE 5.05pm

A Welsh Ambulance Services spokesman said that the woman has been taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital with an emergency ambulance.

UPDATE 5pm

A South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Fire Control spokesman said: "The casualty, who was in the mud approximately 15m from the water, was rescued by Fire Service personnel with the assistance from the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) using a rescue line and rescue equipment and was handed over to paramedics on scene.

"The Coastguard Rescue Team and Coastguard Rescue helicopter were in the area on standby."

4pm

A WOMAN has been rescued by firefighters from the banks of the River Usk in Newport.

Crews from Duffryn, Malpas and Maindee were called to the scene, near the Millennium Bridge and Friars Walk at 2.33pm.

Five fire engines are currently on the scene and a South Wales Fire and Rescue spokeswoman confirmed a rescue operation was under way.

Wales Ambulance Service are also on the scene. What appeared to be an air sea rescue helicopter also flew over the scene a number of times but did not appear to be needed.