See dramatic footage of rescue from police helicopter

A suicidal woman was rescued by a coastguard officer last week as she tried to jump off a cliff edge. The depressed 27-year-old abandoned her car in Minehead on 26 September and was discovered by police and coastguards. John Barnes of the Watchet Coastguard division grabbed the woman as she attempted to dive, and held her back from the cliff edge. Police then managed to restrain her and take her into custody.

Bob Peel, Watch Manager at Swansea Coastguard said Mr Barnes had undoubtedly saved the woman’s life. ‘We are very proud of his actions which were captured on film by the Devon and Cornwall Police helicopter Oscar 99. We understand the woman is now in police custody, and we all hope she will make a full recovery.’

Click here to see the footage.