AN unidentified hero who rescued an elderly woman from the River Tavy is being sought.
The man pulled the 82-year-old woman to safety after she fell into the Tavy at Abbey Walk, next to the Jubilee Arch.
The incident took place at around 1pm on Thursday, November 21.
The woman from Tavistock was pulled from the River Tavy onto the edge of the bank.
She had been almost up to her neck in water, when she was rescued by a passer-by ? a man in his forties. But exactly who he is remains a mystery.
After rescuing the woman, the man went into the Wharf to ask for help and the emergency services were contacted.
Ambulance and fire crews arrived and helped bring the woman up to the path from the edge of the river. She was taken to Tavistock Hospital for treatment, but sustained no major injuries.
Lynne Spencer, communications manager for South Hams and West Devon Primary Care Trust, which manages Tavistock Hospital, said the woman was able to get convenient treatment following her ordeal.
?Tavistock has a minor injuries unit and we are pleased we can offer that facility. It is great to have local services on your doorstep,? she said.
The Wharf are now hoping to trace both the woman and the man who bravely pulled her out of the river. He also tried to recover the senior citizen?s handbag, which she was upset at losing in the water, but was unable to find it.
Peter Dixon at the Wharf, said he had been disappointed to hear that several people had carried on walking along the path without offering to help in the rescue.
Margaret Hurdwell, managing director of the Wharf is offering complimentary cinema tickets to the rescuer and the lady. Contact Margaret Hurdwell at the Wharf on 01822 611166 or call into the box office between 11.15am and 2.15pm or 6-8pm.
Tavistock firefighter Tim Smith who was involved in the rescue operation, said the fire service now carried river rescue equipment as incidents where people had to pulled from the water were increasing.
Mr Smith said the woman had been ?very resilient? and insisted on climbing the ladder to get up from the riverside, rather than be carried out by stretcher.
Mr Smith said the River Tavy running at its strongest was the second fastest flowing river in the country, and could be extremely dangerous.
He said the fire service had raised the issue of the need for fencing or railings around the river?s edge at Abbey Walk with the local authority following the incident.
Deputy town clerk Rosie Kehoe said the issue of fencing or railing along the path had previously been flagged up by the town touncil?s works superintendent.
Following this latest incident, the issue might be examined at the next meeting of the town council, she said.