A WOMAN has told of a horrific ordeal after she suffered serious injuries falling 15 feet into a river in the middle of the night.
Alethea McLoughlin, 52, lay partly submerged in the River Lim in complete darkness for about 45 minutes before she was plucked to safety in a dramatic operation involving firefighters, the RNLI, coastguards and paramedics.
She suffered a spinal fracture and broke some ribs in the fall.
READ MORE: Woman rescued from river after falling from height
Mrs McLoughlin spent eight days in hospital and faces a lengthy recovery period.
She spoke to the News about her ordeal and to thank rescuers for saving her.
It happened in Lyme Regis in the early hours of Sunday, May 26.
Mrs McLoughlin runs the Clovelly Guest House and pop-up kitchen in the town.
Mrs McLoughlin said: "On Saturday night, I fell on my back down the side of the walkway to the Mill, which was about 15 feet down.
"I had recently come back from holiday, I had a few busy days.
"On Saturday night I had taken two of the girls I work with out for dinner, and afterwards we went for one drink at the pub.
"I had been very tired on that day, so I left after one drink but it was late by then.
"I was walking home and it was pitch black, I wouldn't normally walk down that path at night but there was a cat on the path and I thought I would go and stroke it.
"When I stood up the foliage on the path was the same height so it looked like the path.
"I stepped and I had half of my foot off the path and half on it, I tried to grab the foliage but it had no structure at all, I held on as much as I could but it just gave way.
"I heard a crack and I knew I had broken a bone."
She tumbled into the river and lay injured half on the bank, half in the water.
She explained how her phone was partly damaged so she couldn't dial any numbers. However she was able to access her recent callers and contacted her husband, whom she is separated from.
She said: "I managed to call my husband - he couldn't understand me, but he knew where I had been.
"He contacted my friends and they told him I had left, so he knew where to go.
"I just started shouting so that someone could hear me, eventually my husband found me and called the fire brigade.
"They came and tried to keep my feet warm, my body was half in the water, the fireman was giving me a foot massage.
"The RNLI were called because at one point they thought they were going to have to walk me to the sea to get me out because the wall is too steep.
"Eventually they managed to pull me out of the river.
"I am only now in a position to express my immense gratitude to all of the firefighters, RNLI and emergency services involved in my rescue.
"If it wasn't for the efforts of everyone, it is unlikely I would be here.
"I really cannot thank you all enough and I owe you all so much."
Mrs McLoughlin was in the river for about two hours in total before she was hauled to safety.
A specialist rescue team managed to bring her up the steep bank.
Mrs McLoughlin was taken to Exeter Hospital where she stayed for the next eight days before being able to come home.
She added: "I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who rescued and supported me.
"I have sustained a fractured vertebra and broken ribs, but thanks to the amazing staff at Exeter Hospital, I am on the path to recovery.
"I can't begin to thank all the wonderful people in my life; my family, friends, co-workers, and everyone who has shown me such kindness and support.
"Although I will need to wear a brace for 12 weeks, I am confident I will come out stronger."
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