A TEENAGER whose mother committed suicide last year has been praised by police after he jumped into a river to prevent a woman from taking her own life.

Sean Hammersley said the tragic death of his mother led him to strip off and dive into the River Tees during a hailstorm at the weekend.

He said: "My mam committed suicide last year - she took an overdose - and I thought 'I'm not going to let someone else lose their mam'.

"I didn't want anyone else to go through what I went through when my mam died, so I just jumped in and tried to save her.

"I didn't think about the dangers. I just had to make sure she was okay."

The 18-year-old, who works at Barclaycard, in Stockton, as an account manager, was in the works cafe with colleagues, at about 1pm on Saturday, when they noticed a woman acting strangely outside.

She was alone on a bench beside the River Tees, with her face towards the driving hail.

Sean said: "We saw the lady sat on a bench and thought it was odd, but when I looked up again, her boots were on the floor and she was in the river.

"I took my top off and ran straight outside. I just jumped over the fence and plopped in.

"It took my breath away for a good four or five seconds, because it was so cold.

"But I managed to drag her to the side and a few people helped me to pull her out."

Sean, of Rutland Court, Middlesbrough, said he did not see the woman's face as she lay motionless in the water, but he repeatedly told her to keep breathing as he dragged her to safety.

"I was really scared, and I couldn't feel my legs," he added.

"When it got shallow enough, I was trying to wade out of the water, but I still couldn't feel my legs.

"I remember feeling that my movements were really restricted. My workmates just kept telling me to keep going.

"I think I pulled her about 25 metres in total. I was exhausted and extremely cold."

When they got to the bank, Laura-Jane Bradford, Lesley Hibberd and Liz Jordan helped to pull the woman out of the river.

Both Sean and the 51-year-old woman were taken to University Hospital of North Tees, at Stockton, but both were discharged later that same day.

Police said the woman, who was visiting the area from Bristol, and who is not being named by police, had jumped into the river.

Sergeant John Sproson said: "What Sean did was very courageous, and had it not been for his quick-thinking and brave actions, this lady may well have died.

"We applaud him, but we want to take this opportunity to warn people that the River Tees is extremely cold and dangerous at any time of the year, let alone in winter, and they should stay away wherever possible."

Sean, who has worked at Barclay House since June, said he never imagined he would be jumping in to save someone's life.

"Looking back on it, the whole thing has shocked me," he said.