ANGLERS who saved an elderly woman from drowning shrugged off their actions yesterday.

Roy Walker and Mark Seagrott were fishing by Days Lock, near Little Wittenham, on Sunday when they heard calls for help after 69-year-old woman fell off a boat into the Thames.

She was left trapped between the vessel and a steep bank. Her 70-year-old husband was struggling to keep her head above water.

Mr Walker, 43, from Buckingham, was fishing 200 yards away with Mr Seagroatt, from Swindon, when the drama unfolded at about 5.55pm.

The friends then raced along the bank to make the rescue.

Mr Walker said: “There was quite a bit of commotion and then we saw the woman squished between the bank and their boat. I just saw a pair of arms sticking up and pulled her out. I only did what you would expect anyone else to do.”

The Thames Valley’s Air Ambulance helicopter then arrived with police, fire crews and paramedics. Kidlington-based fire and rescue station manager Julian Green said: “It all comes down to the two fishermen who managed to pull her out very quickly.”

Fire and rescue incident commander Jon Walker said: “This outcome could have been far worse, but due to the prompt attendance and joint working between all three emergency services and the public a tragedy was avoided.”

The couple were treated by paramedics at the scene and did not have to go to hospital.