A GOOD samaritan today told of the terrifying moment when he dived into the River Colne to rescue a woman.

The 22-year-old casualty, who is from the Colchester area, fell into the river near to Quilters bar, on Middleborough in the town centre.

Lee Caird, 50, and his 45-year-old wife, Claire, were walking their dogs when they heard the woman pleading for help.

Property developer Mr Caird, of Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, said: "She said help me please' over and over again, and she was screaming and gurgling as she kept going under.

"She was under more than she was above, and she was getting dragged down."

While his wife dialled 999, he called to a group of youngsters playing football nearby and asked them to bring over a portable goal post.

By this time, the woman was trapped in an overhanging tree, but her head was under the water.

When Mr Caird realised she was too tired and drained to grab the pole, he jumped in after her.

"It wasn't heroics," he said. "I would've saved anybody's life. She needed getting out, and we got her out."