Passers-by turned heroes when a woman fell from Medway Bridge.

The victim, who is in her 40s, plunged more than 30 metres from the coast-bound side of the M2 crossing and into the river just after 7pm on Sunday.

The incident sparked a huge emergency response with around a dozen police cars, three ambulances, two fire engines and the coastguard sent to nearby Medway Bridge Marina.

A water rescue boat was also launched, while the air ambulance landed in Borstal Recreation Ground. One of the first on the scene was Tim Wright who was sitting on his boat when he felt a thud against the side.

He said: “At first I just thought it was debris coming down the river on the tide but then felt another movement and left the boat to investigate.

“At this point I could hear a noise and saw a lady’s face in the water; her body was under the boat and I could hear breathing.

“I managed to pull her out from underneath using a boat hook and immediately shouted for help as I could not have pulled her out of the water alone.

“My neighbour helped me lift the lady out of the water while her husband phoned the emergency services.

“We tried to keep the casualty warm with towels and dressing gowns until the services arrived.

“At this point she was still breathing regularly but bleeding from the mouth.

“Police, paramedics and the coastguard then took over.

“I just hope my efforts were not in vain.”

The woman was loaded onto a stretcher in the marina and driven to the waiting helicopter.

Witnesses say she was treated there for a further half an hour before being flown to King’s College Hospital, London, at 8.30pm.

Police left the scene at 10am on Monday having established there were no suspicious circumstances.

According to police records the woman is still in intensive care.

For confidential support, you can contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123 for free.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway