Amy Winehouse has been hailed a hero after rescuing a woman.

The "Rehab" singer dashed to the aid of 39-year-old Louise Williams who got into difficulties during a sailing lesson close to Amy's hotel in St. Lucia when a 6ft wave struck her boat, throwing her overboard onto rocks.

Louise told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "I was bowled over by her kindness. She went out of her way to help.

"A six-foot wave caught the boat and I went flying and hit a rock.

"Amy was on the beach 20 metres away and she ran across immediately and said, 'Let's have a look at you.' She picked me up and took me across to the showers and was constantly asking, 'Are you all right?' "

After helping Louise wash her cuts and fetching dry towels to wrap her in, Amy proudly posed for a picture with Louise, an admin worker from Plymouth.

Amy, 25, has spoken about the incident, saying: "I thought she was going to die."

The troubled star is currently enjoying an extended holiday on the Caribbean island where her antics - including flirting with staff and guests and allegedly stealing drinks - has annoyed fellow holiday-makers, but Louise insists Amy is a kind soul.

She added: "It shows there's another side to her."

(China Daily/Agencies January 22, 2009)