Haydock High pupil hailed after saving pensioner from River Mersey

Khloe Woods, 14, and her friend Ellie Hughes, also 14, formed a human chain in order to rescue a 74-year-old man who had been pushed into the water in Warrington back in April.

The man was kicked from behind into the freezing river by teenager Benjamin Bridgeman, 19, whilst a 16-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, filmed the attack.

Footage of the incident caused widspread shock

The pair were seen running away laughing after the incident, which took place on a stretch of the river in Howley at around 2.30pm on Sunday, April 25.

Footage of the incident caused widespread shock, but the heroic actions of the two girls was the other side of the story.

Speaking of her daughter's actions that helped to save the man, Khloe’s mum, Ann Marie Woods, told the Star: “As parents, we’re the proudest people ever.”

After hearing the man’s cries for help, the girls sprung into action and held on to each other to pull the struggling man out of the fast-flowing river.

Khloe and Ellie pulled the man from the freezing waters

Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, Ann Marie added: “They nearly fell in a couple of times because they couldn’t get hold of him.

“He had a puffer coat on which was full of water and that was weighing him down.

“They didn’t even think, they just went and helped him. They didn’t think about how deep the water was or anything. They just saw this man in the water and they needed to get him out.”

Ann Marie said that Khloe, who wants to go into the police force in the future, has “the biggest heart you can imagine” and “would do anything for anybody”.

Since the incident she has had “overwhelming support” and messages of gratitude, including getting meals out and hair appointments paid for from people in the community. Haydock High say they are immensely proud of her.

The Woods family have also met the family of the pensioner, although they have not yet met the man himself, who is said to be “struggling to come out of the house” after the incident.

The victim, who was innocently fishing prior to being pushed, was left clinging onto a branch and struggling to keep his head above the water before Khloe and Ellie intervened.

Benjamin Bridgeman

Angela Blackmore, prosecutor at Warrington Crown Court, explained that the pensioner was "very upset and shocked" after the incident, and didn't call for an ambulance as not to upset his wife.

Ann Marie added: “It’s quite scary to think if [the girls] hadn’t have gone past, he might not have made it out.”

Bridgeman was jailed for 10 weeks in June for his involvement in the case, and ordered to pay £500 in compensation to his victim.

His 16-year-old friend, who filmed the attack, was handed a 12-month youth referral order and must also pay £500 in compensation.