Bedford River Festival visitors hail brave hero who rescued young girl who fell into water

The incident happened on Sunday afternoon
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A man who rescued a young girl who fell into the water at Bedford River Festival has been branded a hero.

The incident took place at the weekend when, to the shock of onlookers, the girl fell out of an inflatable zorb into the river.

Alana Stevie White, who was among the thousands of people visiting the River Festival, witnessed what happened.

The incident happened on Sunday at Bedford River FestivalThe incident happened on Sunday at Bedford River Festival
The incident happened on Sunday at Bedford River Festival

She posted on Facebook: “Yesterday afternoon at the river festival a young girl, around 8 years old, fell in the water out of one of the zorb rollers and an Irish gentlemen dived in to save her.

“We were just close by but he was a hero. I went and said well done as he wrung out his clothes. What an amazing man.”

A Bedford Borough Council spokesman said: “We can confirm that a child fell into the river out of an inflatable zorb at this year’s River Festival.

“We’d like to record our thanks to the quick actions of the person and for their assistance.

“Staff from the company were on hand, an incident report was completed and we understand the company had the full level of safety precautions in place for the event, including three lifeguards in attendance and first aid, which was not required.”