A husband and wife have made contact with a good Samaritan who saved them in a dramatic river rescue following an appeal on KentOnline.

Martin and Gail Johnson were walking with their chocolate labrador beside the River Beult in Yalding, having just been to the doctor’s, when the slippery conditions caused Mrs Johnson to suddenly fall in the fast flowing water.

Mr Johnson grabbed hold of her and used a tree root to balance himself but was unable to pull his wife out of the water.

After 10 minutes of struggling an unknown man suddenly appeared and freed Mr Johnson before the pair used a dog leash to pull out Mrs Johnson.

Mr Johnson, 74 and of Vicarage Road, said: “The man sent me an email this morning after I sent one thanking him. He seems like a very modest guy and actually turned down a token of our thanks."

The couple were walking along a river path around the back of the village, which was described as being very muddy on the day of the accident.

Mr Johnson was concerned about his two-year-old dog, named Wiggins, and was caught by surprise when his wife fell in.

"It was a shocking thing. I went straight down to try and get her out but it was just a sheer muddy slope," he said.

“All I could do was hold her. I was holding on with one hand on a tree root and my other on her.

“I was trying to get her out but it was impossible. I didn’t want to let go so we were in a terrible situation. I said ‘calm down, let’s conserve our energy.’

“I felt my hand was slipping on the root and then we noticed the dog looking apprehensive. Then this guy appeared.

“Eventually, with some difficulty, he managed to pull me up the slope. He said let go of your wife’s hand which I was reluctant to do.

“She was up to her shoulders in water but she managed to find another tree root.

“He managed to pull me out then she put the dog lead around her wrist and we pulled her out.”

The incident happened on Friday afternoon at around 3pm and the couple were halfway between the doctor’s surgery and Mill Lane.

The modest hero has decided to keep his identity under wraps.