Police and coastguard crews were called to Topsham yesterday evening after a disabled woman disappeared while swimming in the River Exe.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 7:15pm after reports from the public that a wheelchair bound, young female was seen entering the water from a small slipway at Topsham but then disappeared.
Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 106 from Portland and Police Helicopter MPAS44 were also tasked to assist in the search.
Since it had been reported that the woman had left her wheelchair at the slipway in Topsham, had entered the water fully clothed to take a swim and had disappeared, two boats were sent to assist Devon and Cornwall police with the rescue.
The casualty was eventually located after being in the water for 45 minutes a mile down river adjacent to an area known as Riversmeet.
She was recovered, still in a conscious state, to a pontoon in Topsham where a Paramedic arrived shortly afterwards.
The 22 year old woman was checked over and was taken to Royal Devon and Exeter hospital as a precaution by ambulance, as she was very cold.
