A FATHER-OF-FOUR who risked his own life to save a woman after she leapt into a York river said he thought of lost friends as she struggled in the freezing water.

Tom Kennedy was one of two New Year heroes who helped save the woman, after she jumped into the River Foss, from Foss Bridge, in Fossgate, early on New Year's Day.

He said two of his friends had committed suicide in the River Ouse over the years. "I didn't want to see someone else lose their lives in a York river," he said.

Tom was returning from the Minster area at about 1.10am on New Year's Day after celebrating the turn of the year.

But he soon found himself soaked with icy water, after jumping over a fifteen foot wall to reach the narrow riverbank.

He and fellow rescuer, Fabrice Villoutreix, then dragged the woman from the water before emergency services arrived.

Tom, who lives in Robson Court, off Walmgate, said his instincts took over when he saw her in the freezing Foss.

He said: "She was in the water and if she'd stayed there she would have been in serious trouble. Nobody can last very long in water that cold.

"Someone had to do something so I just did what I could and I'd do it again. I wouldn't say it was heroic. I'd like to think it was what anybody else would have done."

After the rescue, 32-year-old Tom then stayed with the woman while she was treated for exposure at York District Hospital, before making sure she got home safely.

He added: "I didn't want her to be alone in case she tried it again, so I went home with her where she had some company. I have heard she is OK since then. I just hope she stays that way." The actions of the two heroes have been praised by police, who said: "Both gentlemen did very well under difficult circumstances.

"Their prompt intervention helped get the woman from the river quickly and stopped the situation deteriorating any further."

Updated: 10:50 Friday, January 04, 2002