A Good Samaritan saved the life of a drowning motorist after her car skidded off a bridge and plunged into a freezing river.

Paul Wiltshire, 45, who lives in Yate, leapt into the water after spotting the wreckage floating on its roof.

Dad-of-three Paul, wearing just a T-shirt and jeans, jumped off the bridge into the icy water in Wiltshire where he ''waded like a madman'' towards the sinking vehicle.

He managed to reach the stricken driver who was tapping and ''clawing desperately'' on the window for help.

Paul managed to smash one of the windows and ''refused'' to let go of the terrified woman's hand, while reassuring her that all would be okay.

PC Tom Kinderman dived in to join the rescue and the pair finally freed the trapped woman, who was in her 20s, to safety.

She was rushed to the Royal United Hospital in Bath by ambulance and has since made a complete recovery.

But despite his selfless deed, Paul said he was ''only too happy to help'' following Saturday's accident at Littleton Panell, near Devizes.

Speaking from his home in Tyndale Avenue, Yate, Paul said other passers-by had stopped to help but were paralysed with fear.

Engineer Paul said: ''There were about four or five people just stood there looking at the car, but I think they were in shock and weren't doing much.

''I asked what had happened, but I knew there was no point waiting for a reply - I just jumped off the bridge and waded like a madman through the freezing water to see if I could help.

''When I got to the car I saw a hand and thought that she was dead, but then it started tapping and clawing desperately at the window.

''It was really scary, she kept going in and out of consciousness and I thought at one point she had died.

''I refused to let go of her hand so I just kept talking to her and letting her know that she was going to be ok.''

He added: ''When she was taken to hospital, I was so relieved for her safety. I was only too happy to help.''

The incredible rescue took place at 8am on Saturday morning, when Paul was on his way to work at a water works at West Lavington in Wiltshire.

He was driving along the A360 when he spotted a group of people peering off the side of a 7ft-high bridge.

Paul, who works for Wessex Water, pulled over to help when he spotted the silver hatchback upside down in the river.

He clambered down the bank and jumped into the river, managing to reach the vehicle within a few minutes.

Paul, who lives with his wife Maria and their children Scott, 18, Dan, 16 and daughter Rachel, 10, said: ''At first I was concerned that there could be children in the back so I smashed the back window and felt around to see if I could feel anyone but luckily I couldn't.

''I just grabbed her hand and tried as much as I could to reassure her that everything was going to be ok and that she wasn't going to die,

''Time seemed to go so slowly and a few times I had to shout at her because she was going in and out of consciousness and I thought I was losing her.

''It was terrifying, she was really panicking and although I kept it together a couple of times I thought she had gone.''

Paul, manager of Yate Town Girls under-11s football team, was joined later joined by PC Kinderman, from Wiltshire Police, who helped free the trapped door and drag the woman's limp body from the car.

PC Kinderman, 34, said: ''The car was really badly crumpled and was filling up with water fast.

''Paul held the woman's hand and I swam into the car and tried to keep her head above the water.

''I hoped to just hold her head up until the fire brigade arrived but it was filling too quickly, the poor woman was gasping for breath and I just thought I have to get her out.''

He added: ''The impact of what happened didn't really hit me until about an hour later. I am just so happy we got her out and it has ended well.''

The driver, who has not been named, was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath. Her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) said she would have died if it wasn't for Paul's bravery.

A spokesman said: ''The car was upside down in the river with the woman trapped inside.

"Luckily she was just able to breathe but the car had been submerged for approximately 10 minutes."