THREE teenagers from Newport are to be nominated for a bravery award after they prevented a suicidal girl from jumping into the River Usk.

The incident happened on Saturday at 6.45pm, when an unnamed 15-year-old girl from Newport ran over to the jetty behind the Glebelands sports complex, threatening to jump into the fast-flowing river. She had already cut part of her wrist with broken glass she had found on the ground.

Jonathan Lott, of Orchard Street, Shane Price, of Morgan Street, and Gavin Greensill, of Stockton Road, all aged 15, scaled a ten-foot barbed-wire fence to get to the jetty and restrain the struggling girl until emergency services arrived. Police were alerted by Jonathan's girlfriend, Tammy Williams, 15, of Elaine Crescent, Newport, who dialled 999 on her mobile phone.

Jonathan, a pupil at St Julians Comprehensive, said: "We saw the girl crying and walking towards the jetty, so we followed her. We knew what she was up to when she scaled the fence.

"I tried to grab her before she got over the fence, but I cut my hand. She said to me, 'Tell everyone I love them,' and went out on to the jetty.

"I scaled the fence and managed to stop her from jumping in. Shane then arrived and put her in a hold while I sat on her legs because she was really struggling. Gavin also came over and tried calming her down by talking to her. We then waited for the police to arrive."

The girl is now recuperating at home. PC Stephen Matthews, of Maindee police station, attended the scene, along with PC Gerwyn Taylor. He said: "When we got there the three lads were on the jetty pontoon and they were restraining a girl who was threatening to jump into the river.

"With the river being so fast flowing and the tide coming in very quickly, she would not have had a chance if she had jumped into the river. They definitely saved her life." PC Matthews added: "The lads should definitely be commended for their bravery and they will be nominated for an award by Maindee police."

PICTURED: Jonathan Lott (left) and Gavin Greensill