A passer-by was praised by firefighters last night for jumping into a canal to pull a woman in difficulties to safety.

The 53-year-old woman was dragged to safety from the Leeds-Liverpool Canal near Victoria Street, Saltaire, yesterday afternoon by the man who saw her struggling in the water.

Fire crews and paramedics rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised and the woman, who has not been named, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary by Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Watch Commander Michael Smith, of Fairweather Green fire station in Bradford, which was involved in the rescue, praised the man for coming to the woman’s aid.

“He did a very good job,” he said.

Residents and workers in the area had gathered at the bridge over the canal in Victoria Street as the drama unfolded.

One witness said the air ambulance landed in the car park of Crown House before about half a dozen air ambulance paramedics in bright orange suits made their way to the scene of the rescue.

He said: “There was police blocking the way and diverting cyclists over the bridge away from the canal towpath.

“They brought the woman back on a stretcher with about six of these guys. Then she was just put in the helicopter. There was loads of people stood on the bridge watching, but they didn’t know anything about what was happening.”

The woman had been “in a serious condition” when she was found.

One male witness said the woman appeared to be conscious and breathing when she was taken out of the water.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the woman was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary where her condition was described as serious.

Other emergency services – including an ambulance, a rapid response car and the water rescue unit from Bingley fire station – were also called to the scene.