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A woman has told of how she jumped into the Brayford pool in Lincoln to try to save a swan trapped with fishing wire around its neck.

Pammi Moss from Coleby jumped into the Brayford Pool on Sunday afternoon to try to help the cygnet when she saw people crowding around staring at the water.

She was spending time with her friends around the Brayford when she saw people crowding around and went to see what was going on.

She said: "At first I thought they were just admiring the swans but then I realised that the cygnet was on its side and it's head was in the water. It raised its head a couple of times but it kept going under. I yelled that someone needed to do something, then I just shouted to my friend to get help or anything but we didn't have time so I just went through the railings.

"I shouted at the girls that were there to form a chain and one had to come through the barrier to hold onto me and the next thing I was in the water.

"It was actually really scary as the reeds tangle in your legs. I managed to get hold of the cygnet and cradled it in one arm, and then with the help of the girl who had come through the barrier I managed to hoist myself and the cygnet up and placed it on the path."

Pammi and other members of the public then tried desperately for 15 minutes on the waterside to try to help him come around.

She added: "I'd noticed he had fishing line around his neck so I bit it off and unraveled it but there was line down his throat as well.

"We had a man from RSPCA on the phone who was giving us instructions . Although we felt a heartbeat, he was unresponsive, so me and another lady started CPR and I was giving him mouth to mouth as best I could. I also bit some line off him that was around his wing.

"I didn't have time to think really. There were others who were on Google giving instructions. I couldn't have just sat and done nothing. About five to 10 minutes later we realised we'd lost him and my heart almost broke - I failed him.

"I just wish I'd been able to do more though - maybe if i'd been five minutes earlier?"

The cygnet is thought to be called Solo, who was around two months old.

Frankie Chambers, who volunteers for Yorkshire Swan Rescue, said: "I think they definitely did the right thing by getting him out of the water and trying to help the cygnet.

"They need to be praised for what they did really as most people just walk past and assume that someone was already helping.

"It's so frustrating as around the time that the whole incident happened I drove past the Brayford so if I had known I could have potentially helped.

"I think there just needs to be more general awareness of what to do if you come across a situation like that and who you need to contact in an emergency when it comes to swans.

"This sadly seems to be a bit of a re-occurence as we can only walk down to check on them so often and can't be there all the time."

Frankie said that the best number to call if a swan is in immediate danger is the team at Yorkshire Swan Rescue on 07763424092 or to message them on their Facebook page.