A MOTHER and daughter saved a man’s life after he threatened to jump off a bridge.

Paula and Rebecca Woolven were praised for their efforts after bravely clinging on to the man during the dramatic night-time rescue.

The 25-year-old man is now getting treatment at a hospital mental health unit.

Mrs Woolven, 42, and Rebecca, 19, were driving home to Telscombe Cliffs when they spotted him standing on the Newhaven swing bridge and looking as if he was about to plunge 20ft into the River Ouse.

After calling police, Mrs Woolven approached the man and tried to calm him down.

She said: “He was very upset and was crying.

“I just kept talking to him and asked his name and about his family.

“My daughter then joined us and also started talking and asking questions. He kept saying he wanted to jump.

“It was freezing cold and it felt like we were there for hours although it was only a few minutes.”

The man then lost his grip and started to fall so Mrs Woolven and her daughter both flung themselves against the railing and grabbed his arms.

They bore the brunt of his weight for a few seconds until a policeman reached them and also got hold of him.

Mrs Woolven said: “There were about eight of us holding on to him at one point. He was struggling as well. Then someone arrived with a rope and a lifebuoy and we were eventually able to haul him to safety.”

Mrs Woolven said she and her daughter were “in the right place at the right time”.

She added: “It was obviously very shocking. While it was happening I was firing on adrenalin and did not have any time to think but it did hit me afterwards. I’m just so glad he is OK and now getting the help he needs.”

College student Rebecca said: “I didn’t get much sleep that night and it kept going through my mind. I just hate to think what might have happened if we had come by about five minutes later.”

The man, from Newhaven, was detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act and taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital after the incident on Wednesday night.

Sergeant Kevin Leete, who responded to the emergency, said: “The two women who engaged with the man and who were the first to grab him as he let go showed great presence of mind and, indeed, courage as they hung on to him while officers ran in to help.

“They were also in some danger as the man was struggling to release himself and the river below was approaching high tide, which generates strong currents.

“Everyone involved did just the right things and probably saved this man's life.”