Awards for Rotherham police rescue heroes

Pcs Della Leasley and Trevor Welch battled to prevent a man from jumping off the Banbury canal bridge on Doncaster Road, Mexborough, last July.

The officers clung on to the man and were eventually able to bring him back to safety.

Now they are to receive awards from the Royal Humane Society—a charity that grants awards for acts of bravery in the saving of human life.

Dick Wilkinson, secretary of the society, said: “This incident could well have ended tragically.

“Thanks to the efforts of these two officers, it didn’t and they richly deserve the awards they are to receive.”

The two officers had been alerted by a member of the public who had spotted the man on the wrong side of the bridge railings and had already tried to talk him out of jumping.

Mr Wilkinson added: “By the time the officers arrived following a 999 call the man had lowered himself to a position where it was difficult for anyone to hold him and he was holding on with just one hand.

“The two officers both held on to him and he let go with both feet and hands.

“Pc Welch then held onto him over the railings while Pc Leasley climbed over onto the bridge wall.

“Eventually they persuaded the man to stand on the ledge and from there they brought him onto the bridge.”

No date has yet been fixed for the presentation of the awards which have been made on the recommendation of South Yorkshire Police.