Award for hero cops who rescued man from Rotherham river

A 26-year-old man who fled from police who chased him following a night-time assault on a woman in Rotherham town centre ended up owing his life to them.

The man jumped into the River Don in November last year to escape the officers but became stuck in the freezing cold water.

The pursing police saw him go under the water and with some rope they found nearby formed a human chain to enable them to reach the man, who by this time was suffering from hypothermia, and pull him back to safety.

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Now the three officers - PCs Emma Addis (pictured below), Christopher Byne (pictured above) and Adam Watton - have all been awarded top national life-saving honours. 

They are each to receive Royal Humane Society Certificates of Commendation for their actions.

Andrew Chapman, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: “On this occasion, the long arm of the law literally became a life-saver.

“These officers went into the river at around two o’clock in the morning on a November night to rescue the man they had been chasing.

“It was an action fraught with danger. 

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“No-one knows when they wade into a river at the best of times what hazards may be below the surface. 

“When it’s dark, there is always the danger that some-one will be swept away.

“But these officers didn't hesitate. 

“The three of them richly deserve the awards they are to receive. 

“I hope the man, who was taken to hospital to be treated for hypothermia, appreciated what they did for him. He went on to make a complete recovery from his ordeal."

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The Royal Humane Society is the premier national body for honouring bravery in the saving of human life. 

No date has yet been fixed for presentation of the awards.

The officers — members of the policing team known as Rotherham E Group  have already picked up one award for bravery at the district police awards in April.

Chief Insp Rebecca Chapman said: “The actions of all the officers at the scene resulted in saving the life of the man and prevented him from being swept away by the current.

“This response showed dynamic risk assessment and teamwork at its best.”