Police have hit out at the actions of revellers after tragedy nearly struck on the River Chelmer
They have urged drinkers at Chelmsford's nightspots to keep away from the waterways after a 21-year-old Braintree woman nearly drowned.
The rescue was hampered by "clowns" who could have cost her her life by throwing bottles as three brave police officers tried to save her.
They risked their lives saving her after she jumped into the River Chelmer, off Springfield Road, in the early hours of Saturday
Chief Insp Jed Stopher said: "People need to think about things before they do it. We read reports of tragedies involving water and we don't want that here.
"If you have been drinking, stay away from water.
"Some clowns started throwing bottles in the water, which was absolutely crazy. Buoyancy aids were not there because people had thrown them in the water for a laugh."
The three policemen were on duty as part of an initiative to crack down on alcohol-fuelled troublemakers and chanced on the woman who lost consciousness just after entering the water.
Firefighters were also called to the scene and they used specialist equipment to get the woman out of the water.
She was treated and then discharged from Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital
Published Tuesday, June 17, 2003
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