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Man hailed a hero after rescuing woman from river

Sian FilcherBBC Midlands Today
Supplied Samer Jouha holding onto an elderly woman in the River Avon in Evesham. He is holding onto her as he looks up at a short wooden jetty, where other people are coming to assist him.Supplied
Samer Jouha jumped into the River Avon after seeing the woman in the water

A man has been hailed a hero after he rescued an elderly woman from the River Avon in Worcestershire.

Footage shared online shows Samer Jouha pulling the victim from the river at Corporation Meadow in Evesham, before a rescue boat arrived at the scene.

Speaking to the BBC, Samer said: "I saw a child walking down the river. He was in shock. He saw someone in the water. I thought I'd go check, and I saw an old woman in the water lying on her back. She was a bit far from the edge.

"As soon as I saw her in the water, I just jumped to try to get her to the surface or closer to the edge."

Samer Jouha standing by the River Avon in Evesham, close to where he pulled the woman from the water. It is a sunny day and behind him is a bridge. There are also trees behind him on both banks of the river.
Samer Jouha said it was good to "pay back the community" after seeking refuge in the UK eight years ago

"By the time I got her to the edge, the poor lady was holding onto my arm," Samer, who has settled in the UK with his family, explained.

"The rescue boat then came and gave us a hand getting her out.

"I just saw somebody in need and I just jumped in to help her. This is part of humanity. If anyone needs help, I just help.

"The UK provided us with a house, work and my children's safety. It's time for us to pay back the community."

The footage was spotted on Facebook by the woman's family, who led her to be reunited with Samer at his house.

'Selfless actions'

Samer's son Mo talked about how his father's phone and other items were damaged when he jumped in to rescue the woman, at the start of August.

"My dad was proud to be there and help here," he said.

"He didn't think about the value of stuff in his pockets or anything. He restored faith in humanity."

A fundraising page was launched for Samer to replace his phone, before staff at the local Curry's store donated him a new smartphone instead.

Martin Raper, Head of UK Stores at Currys, said: "We were incredibly moved by Samer's selfless actions in helping to save someone's life.

"When we heard his phone had been damaged in the process, we felt it was a small way for us to support someone who had shown such extraordinary kindness and courage.

"We hope Sam enjoys his new phone and receives the recognition he truly deserves."

Supplied An orange rescue boat on the river Avon in Evesham. It has a man sitting in it, with another standing alongside. In the foreground is vegetation growing on the riverbank, while a man in a black T-shirt stands next to it in the water.Supplied
A rescue boat arrived shortly after Jouha jumped in to help get the woman out of the water

Town councillor Emma Nishigaki said: "I know how dangerous the Avon is. It's got undercurrents.

"Very few people go into this stretch and come out again alive, unless they're very proficient swimmers.

"He lost his mobile phone, his keys, his wallet, his cash."

Samer's seven-year-old son Adam helped to raise the alarm when his dad jumped into the water.

Nishigaki is now hoping to also reward Adam with a bicycle.

Mo added: "I'm really grateful to have a dad like him. I'm proud to call him my father.

"I wish for me, my two brothers and my sister to be like my father. As soon as we see somebody in need, to go help them."

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