Two police dog handlers have been commended for saving the life of a missing woman in Ceredigion.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers PC Spencer Cowper and PC Michael Barnsley gave vital first aid to the woman, who has not been named, who was found with a severe cut to her abdomen and was losing blood rapidly.

The force had received a missing person report at around 7.15pm on Monday, 2 November, and a search was immediately launched.

Chief Insp Christina Fraser said: “An officer was sent to her home and other units dispatched to search the surrounding area, but we were facing a difficult task as we were aware she had taken her car, but we didn’t know which direction she had driven in.

“Her phone was switched off so no contact could be made with her to check that she was ok, or to find out where she had gone.

“Around an hour-and-a-half after we began our search, she phoned a family member and indicated where she was.”

Fortunately, four police officers were close by and found the missing woman in her car.

She was unconscious, but breathing, and the officers quickly noticed blood stains on her clothes.

Chief Insp Fraser said: “Two of our dog handlers – PC Barnsley and PC Cowper – quickly lifted her out of the car and found that the source of the blood was a deep, six-inch wound on her abdomen.

“The officers’ colleagues immediately updated the ambulance service, but there was no time to lose as she was losing blood quickly.

“PCs Barnsley and Cowper started administering first aid to stem the bleeding, and there is no doubt that their actions at this point saved her life.”

Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.20pm, and after stabilising the woman she was flown to hospital by the air ambulance.

“I have to commend the commitment and professionalism of the officers at the scene, who administered first aid and liaised with ambulance control to ensure a positive outcome,” Chief Insp Fraser said.

“The officers found themselves in a very serious situation, and all worked as a team, however PC Barnsley and PC Cowper showed great diligence in persisting with first aid while the woman was in and out of consciousness, all the while reassuring her that help was on its way.”

It is understood the woman’s condition is stable.