A WOMAN who jumped into the frozen River Foss in York on New Year's Day has thanked the heroes who saved her life.

Caroline Peacock, 26, of Hope Street, Walmgate, was seen by two men as she plunged off Foss Bridge, in Fossgate.

She said she became unconscious as soon as she hit the water.

And she believes if Tom Kennedy and Fabrice Villoutreix had not jumped in and dragged her out, she would now be dead.

"If it hadn't been for them, there would be a funeral now," she said.

"I didn't know anything about it after I left the bridge and I could still be there if they hadn't seen me. I owe them my life and I want to thank them." Miss Peacock had been walking home at about 1am on New Year's Day after drinking in city centre pubs.

She said: "I don't know what happened. I had been quite happy earlier on in the evening, but I have had a lot of problems lately and I got depressed while going home.

"I can't remember what I was feeling on the bridge, or being pulled out of the water.

"I just remember waking up in the hospital.

"Looking at it now, I certainly did not want to die and I'm feeling fine again. I am very grateful to these two. "

Miss Peacock said she is now considering seeking professional medical help.

Updated: 11:22 Saturday, January 05, 2002