A RUNNER who jumped into the River Dearne in Darton to save a drowning dog has been hailed a ‘hero’ by its thankful owner.

Kathryn Simpson, from Cundy Cross, was running around Darton Park with her running group - Sole Sisters - on Monday when she heard a commotion near a bridge.

The 38-year-old rushed over to find that a dog, named Holly, was trapped under the bridge in the water and was struggling to get out.

Instead of waiting, Kathryn wasted no time and jumped in to save Holly - and despite the water going up to her waist she managed to rescue the stricken pooch.

She told the Chronicle: “On a Monday we always go out for a walk or a run but we haven’t been to Darton Park for probably two years.

“We set off and saw two ladies who were on the riverbank in distress.

“Holly had jumped off and managed to get into the water under the bridge.

“There were three of us and I could fit through the gap in the fence so I just jumped in.

“You don’t think about yourself when you’re in that situation.”

Stacey Louise Cooper-Childs was walking her own dog with her auntie, Shirley Millard, and the six-year-old shih tzu Holly when she jumped into the river to catch some ducks.

Stacey said that Kathryn’s actions really did save Holly’s life, and described her being there as a moment of ‘fate’.

She said: “My auntie is looking after Holly because it’s my nannan’s dog but she’s in a care home.

“We were walking around Darton Park and she’s usually great off lead but she spotted some ducks.

“The next thing we know she’s in the river.

“We couldn’t get down there at all.

“The group of runners came up and Kathryn didn’t think twice about jumping in.

“They said afterwards that they don’t usually run around the park so it was like it was fate - it was just meant to be.

“She’s a real hero.

“If she wasn’t there I don’t know what would have happened because she was really struggling and getting tired.

“Kathryn saved her.”

Kathryn added that she was glad she was able to help - but said her actions are what anyone would have done in that situation.

“I just grabbed the dog and managed to pull her out,” she said.

“I was probably only in the water for about 45 seconds but it was waist deep.

“Stacey and Shirley were so thankful.

“It is nice to be able to get some recognition but I’d have done it for anyone.

“I just thought that if it would have been my dog I’d have been so panicked.

“After that I just went for a coffee wet through.

“It’s safe to say I didn’t have a great run but I saved a life instead.

“Sometimes it just works that way.”