TWO off duty emergency services workers have been praised for their bravery after diving into a river to save a woman who had jumped in.

British Transport Police officer James Finch was off duty when he saw the woman, thought to be in her mid twenties, jump off Clifton Bridge in York yesterday lunchtime (May 19).

He dived in along with an off duty fire officer and they both battled to hold the woman afloat with the help of a life ring thrown in by a member of the public.

They were brought ashore by the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue boat.

PC Finch said: "It was very, very, cold to the point I was starting to worry for our safety. We were both in the right place at the right time and it just came naturally I suppose, but I don’t think it’s something anyone else wouldn’t have done if put in the same situation.”

He said he did not find out the name of the fire officer and appealed for him to come forward.

A British Transport Police spokeswoman said both men showed great courage and their actions had helped to save the woman's life.