HEROIC members of the public plucked a mother and her baby from the river Severn after they fell in while feeding the swans.

The shocked woman and her 12-month-old daughter were saved thanks to quick-thinking passers-by who worked together to keep the pair afloat and pull them from the water, which was about six feet (two metres) deep. Crews from the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust, who were called to the scene, said the baby and mother fell into the water between the railings while feeding the swans by Worcester's South Quay, near Brown's Restaurant, yesterday at about 11.30am.

Student Ben Reynolds, from the University of Birmingham Boat Club, was called by one of his team- mates who witnessed the incident as they were rowing on the river.

The 19-year-old had been further downstream coaching in a motor launch boat, so headed straight to the scene.

He said: "I saw a woman climbing down a ladder to go and help the mother and baby, who were both in the water being supported by the lifebelts other members of the public had thrown to them.

"She jumped onto the launch and I was then able to pull the baby out as the other lady, who I think was called Miss Knox, helped the mother out the water."

The pair were then taken to the safety of the landing station, where paramedic Keith Williams was waiting to take them by ambulance to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Mr Williams said: "She was very calm considering her and the baby were in the river. I was just thinking of their safety. This is absolutely down to quick thinking from the public. It could have been a whole different scenario without that.

"The mum definitely saved her baby's life."

The mum and baby - who have not been identified - had been in the water about five minutes when they were rescued, cold, wet and shivering.

The mother broke down in tears after she was rescued.

John Scarborough, head of governance and corporate support at Worcester City Council, said an inspection was taking place on the site following the incident.