A LITTLE girl who fell into the River Colne as she celebrated catching a fish was pulled to safety by her brother who bravely jumped in after her.

Wendy Simmons, seven, had begged her parents to let her go fishing with older brothers Allen, ten, and Karl 11.

Her parents Tracy, 33, and Andy, 36, of Westfield Avenue, Garston, finally agreed on Thursday last week, giving the three children strict instructions to take care while near the river, close to Radlett Road, Watford.

But when Karl caught a minnow, Wendy began to jump up and down on the bank with excitement. She lost her footing and slipped into the river backwards, momentarily going under the water.

Karl told Allen to run home and tell their parents what was happening before he jumped in to grab his sister and pull her onto the bank.

He wrapped her in his jumper to keep warm while they waited for Andy and Tracy to arrive by car.

Care worker Tracy, 33, said: "Wendy had been asking for weeks to go fishing with the boys and we finally agreed on Thursday evening.

"They had been down there for an hour when Allen came charging in and said Wendy had fallen in the river. Our first thought was she had drowned.

"My husband called the ambulance while we drove down there. When arrived Karl and Wendy were sitting by the road crying.

"The ambulance came to check on her but she was fine. We all went home and just sat around crying, thinking of what might have happened if it wasn't for the boys' quick thinking."

Tracy added: "I am so proud of all of the kids and we bought them some sweets as a reward. It still upsets me now to think of what might have been.

"Wendy is not a great swimmer but we took them down to Watford Springs on Sunday to get her used to the water again. She has asked not to go fishing again though!"

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.