Mother's praise for river hero

A mother today praised the former Royal Marine who jumped in to save her two-year-old daughter from drowning in the River Severn at Bewdley and described him "as really brave".

Elaine Southern, aged 29, from The Walshes at Stourport, has also called for extra railings to be erected to prevent other children falling into the river.

Her calls follow the rescue of her daughter Chloe, who will be two next month, who fell into the river while feeding the ducks on Friday.

Security guard Rob Rogers, aged 30, broke his ankle as he sprang into action to save the girl. Her mother, who cannot swim after being injured in a car crash, could only watch and scream for help. Rob vaulted railings to pull the girl to safety and was then helped from the river and taken to hospital.

Mrs Southern said: "He was really brave. When he handed her to us I thought she would be covered in bruises but she was okay. It was just the biggest relief ever."