Several Ottawa police officers rescued a distraught woman from likely death, after she jumped into the freezing Rideau River on Monday night.

At 9 p.m., police, paramedics and firefighters were called to the Cummings Bridge at 659 Rideau St., where a young woman was threatening to jump into the river.

Officers tried to talk her down but instead, she jumped.

Firefighters had not yet had time to deploy their rescue boat.

As officers tracked where the woman was, Const. Colin Bowie made a “split second decision” to go in after her.

He went to the St. Patrick St. bridge, took off his duty belt and jumped into the water.

He used the backseat of his cruiser as a flotation device.

Bowie grabbed the woman.

Const. Pat S. Lafrenière and Const. Kristina Correa followed him into the water and pulled the woman, as well as Bowie, to safety.

Thanks to the swift response of the officers, the young woman was rescued and taken to hospital, where she was treated for hypothermia. She was not seriously injured.

“Const Bowie saw an opportunity and felt it was the best choice to make. And it’s a very heroic decision that he made,” said Ottawa police acting Insp. Glenn Wasson.

He met with the officers shortly after for a debriefing. All were calm and collected.

“It’s amazing the character these officers have.”

Police Chief Charles Bordeleau also praised the actions of the officers.

A similar incident took place not long after, with a woman at the pedestrian bridge near the University of Ottawa threatening to jump. She was talked down safely.

danielle.bell@sunmedia.ca