Cyclist praised for rescuing four people who nearly drowned in Ruhr, Germany

Family were enjoying a waterside barbecue in Bochum before members ended up in jeopardy in river

A cyclist has been praised for having “stepped in decisively” and rescuing four members of a family who nearly drowned in the Ruhr River in Germany during a waterside barbecue that nearly ended in tragedy.

The family of eight had set themselves up on the riverbank in the western city of Bochum, the local fire brigade reported, but the gathering took a panicked turn when one woman got too close to the water’s edge and toppled down into the current, police told local media.