Moment NYPD and Good Samaritan haul woman, 19, back to safety after spotting her clinging to handrail on New York riverbank

A compassionate stranger and the everyday heroism of New York police officers combined to save the life of a distraught young woman who tried to throw herself in the city's East River.

Dramatic bodycam video recorded the three officers clinging for dear life to the woman's wrists as she dangled over the freezing water on Sunday.

A Good Samaritan spotted the 19-year-old looking upset as she sat on a handrail with her feet hanging over the edge just after 11am.

He alerted the nearest officers who were policing Sunday's New York Half-Marathon and they ran to the scene in time to see the woman lower herself over the side.

Bronx police officer Jonathan Mazza began talking to her and grabbed a wrist as she attempted to drop into the fast-flowing current below.

'Miss, we're not going to let you go, we're going to give you the help that you need, alright?' he told her.

Bronx police officer Jonathan Mazza lunged for the woman's wrist as she tried to throw herself from the fence: 'I immediately got down on the ground and put my hands underneath the railing and grabbed her wrists as tight as I could,' he said

Dramatic police bodycam footage recorded footage recorded the woman dangling inches above the fast-flowing river

The officers clung on for dear life as the Harbor Police boat appeared in the distance steaming towards the scene

A police colleague radioed for the Harbor Police as the woman screamed to be let go and Mazza tried to maintain his grip through the narrow gap at the bottom of the metal fence near the Manhattan Bridge. 

Officer Crisbel Lopez jumped down next to her colleague from the Bronx and tried to grab hold of the woman's other wrist.

'Don't do it, give me your hand, give me your hand,' she told her.

'Don't go. No. You're good, you're good.'

With the minutes ticking by and no sign of reinforcements Mazza began wondering whether he would have to put his training as a lifeguard to use in the deadly waters below.

'I thought about my family and my loved ones, and knew she was going through something, and what she was going through wasn't worth doing what she was doing,' he said.

'But I was there to be with her and help her however we could.'

'They both had one hand and she was hanging off the ledge and they were holding onto her for a good two to three minutes before harbor was pulling up to the ledge,' Officer Jessette Adorno said.

'Come on guys I'm losing her', Mazza said as the rescue boat finally steamed into sight.

Officer Jessette Adorno (left) raised the alarm as Officer Jonathan Mazza grabbed the woman's wrist and clung on

The Bronx-based officers were helping police Sunday's New York Half-Marathon when the drama unfolded on a walkway just south of the Manhattan Bridge 

Three officers had hold of the woman's wrists by the time the Harbor Police boat arrived below 

The boat pulled in under the teenager just in time to the immense relief of the struggling police officers

Finally the distraught 19-year-old was pulled to safety with her life saved by the bravery and teamwork of New York's officers 

'I got her, they just need to get here,' a colleague replied.

The desperately relieved officers were able to relinquish their hold as the boat pulled in under the teenager and its crew carried her on board.

Mazza noticed worried texts and missed calls on the woman's phone and began calling the numbers for more information.

He told ABC News on Tuesday that he had spoken to a worried family member who assured him the young woman was responsive and improving.

The bodycam footage, posted on the police department's social media pages, won a host of accolades for the brave officers who saved the woman's life.

'NYPD cops never fail to give it their all when people need them the most,' wrote former NYC police commissioner Bill Bratton.

'Kudos to these amazing officers on their quick thinking and teamwork.'

'Wow that was a close call to say the least,' added William Serrano.

'You literally saved her life.'