Emergency workers commandeered a passing JCB to save a woman 'hanging on for dear life' in freezing flood water, it emerged today.

The woman was caught in fast-flowing torrents close to the River Aire at Baildon had burst its banks.

Firefighters involved in the rescue said she was just moments from being dragged into the rapids of the raging river - and almost certain tragedy .

The woman was walking by the Shipley 4 X 4 Centre in Otley Road on Monday when she lost her footing and was taken with the tide. The incident was caught on amateur film footage and replayed on television.

Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Keith Robinson, who oversaw the rescue, said: "She was swept into the car park, which was under about six feet of water, and towards the river itself."

The force of the water pushed her through a fence but the woman managed to cling to a post 20 feet from the rapids. ADO Robinson said: "Myself and another firefighter had been making a check of the area and, for one reason or another, we doubled back to have one last look."

It was then the pair saw a member of the public screaming for help, pointing towards the struggling woman.

"We could see the river was flowing over the top of her head. She was hanging on for dear life and kept going under," said ADO Robinson.

Sub Officer Kevin MacKill, of Idle fire station, edged his way along the fence to reach the woman and hold her. "The force of the flow meant that he was caught against the fence with her the other side," said ADO Robinson. "All of a sudden we saw a JCB, which had been working in the area, manned by three civilians and a police officer," he added. As firefighters made their way along the fence with a rescue line, the JCB edged into position.

"There were barriers in the car park which meant the digger could only get within 30 feet of the woman."

The rescue team - four firefighters, three civilians and a police officer - formed a human chain along the fence and, with great effort, passed the woman towards the digger.

ADO Robinson said: "I was attached to the digger and the line and when the lady got to me, I was able to put her in the bucket and climb in. She was suffering from hypothermia and was semi-conscious. I just tried to keep her warm and reassured her while the JCB raced to the awaiting team of paramedics."

The WYMAS Air Ambulance ferried the casualty to Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, where her condition was described as comfortable.

ADO Robinson said: "It is very pleasing that the team worked so well together to save this lady. Another 15 or 30 seconds in the water and she would have been swept away and we would have been dealing with a tragedy."