A woman who jumped off a footbridge was saved after a friend grabbed her hair as she fell to the ground.

Waitress Bethany Hornsby clung desperately to her friend's locks after she leapt from the crossing over the dual-carriageway in Pin Hill, Canterbury.

Miss Hornsby had first grabbed her arm as she fell, but lost her grip and was forced to hold tight to her pal's hair as she dangled in the air.

Dog handler PC Paul Donovan was the first officer on the scene and helped pull the woman to safety.

Details of the dramatic story on June 24 emerged at an awards ceremony for police in east Kent at Canterbury Cathedral.

Both PC Donovan and Miss Hornsby received Chief Constable’s Commendations for their outstanding commitment and dedication to public duty.

Among others to be handed awards was Phillip Mind, who was enjoying a night out in Whitstable on March 31 when he heard a distressed woman screaming.

He saw that she was being attacked in an alleyway in Island Wall and grabbed the offender and pulled him away, holding onto him until police arrived.

He provided vital evidence to police and the man - Balasuntharam Sasikumar - was later convicted of attempted rape.

Mr Mind was given a certificate of commendation, with police saying: “It is without doubt that Mr Mind’s quick thinking and actions protected the vulnerable victim from further harm and provided the police with overwhelming evidence that enabled Kent Police to bring the offender to justice.

“Mr Mind’s selfless act has led to long term management of a dangerous offender and has helped to protect the public of Kent from further harm. Mr Mind is to be commended for his bravery and public service.”

PC Ashley McMahan also received a Chief Constable's Commendation for saving the life of a man in Canterbury city centre.

The officer was on foot patrol in Palace Street on June 30 when Stephen Fursse collapsed on the back of a truck.

The 63-year-old lorry driver had been delivering kitchen goods when he suffered a heart attack and fell to the ground.

PC McMahan, 30, raced to his side and performed CPR, requesting a defibrilator from the nearby Canterbury Cathedral, which was used by ambulance crews when they arrived at the scene.

Paramedics believe PC McMahan’s quick actions saved Mr Fursse’s life.

The policeman, who has served as an officer for 11 years, said: “It’s difficult to say what was going through my head, as I was calling for an ambulance, doing the first aid and keeping in contact with the control room.”

Mr Fursse, from Colchester, was airlifted to the Kings College Hospital and spent six days in a coma.

“I’ve been given my life back, and my daughter and Ava have a gift of a dad and grandad too..." - saved lorry driver Stephen Fursse

In August, after recovering, he travelled back to Canterbury to be reunited with PC McMahan.

He was joined by his daughter Katy, 20 - who had to cancel her wedding because of her father’s accident - and his 16-month-old granddaughter Ava.

Stephen said: “I’m chuffed for what he has done for me and my family.

“There’s the old saying that the police are never there when you need them, but he has been there for me.

“I have no recollection of it at all. I was just lucky the police were on duty.

“I’ve been given my life back, and my daughter and Ava have a gift of a dad and grandad too.”

PC McMahan added: “Quite often we don’t know the result of what happens to the people we help, so it’s really good news to hear about the happy ending.”

Mr Fursse presented PC McMahan with a Chief Constable’s Commendation for his outstanding commitment and dedication to duty.

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