A CHESTER man has been nominated for The Scottish Power/Trinity Mirror Cheshire Your Champions Awards for saving the life of a 24-year-old woman whose car plunged into a river on June 27.
Chester Aid To The Homeless manager Matt Roberts, 40, was in his kitchen on Church Lane, Aldford when he heard the crash at 7.30am.
Matt ran out to the scene and jumped into the river to rescue the badly injured driver.
He told The Chronicle: “I was about 150 yards away up the road when I heard the impact. I legged it down the road and saw the car upside down in the middle of the brook.”
“Another man came to help and a gardener from the pub phoned the emergency services. We forced the car’s back door open and we could she see was seriously hurt.
“We pulled her from the front to the back of the car because I was concerned it was going to sink further.
“We didn’t want to move her without the paramedics so I kept her head above the water with my arms underneath hers.”
The victim, who was driving a grey Vauxhall Astra, suffered hypothermia and leg and spinal injuries and was taken to The Countess of Chester Hospital.
Mr Roberts, who was modest about his efforts, was identified by his partner’s daughter Caitlin O’Marah.
She said: “We just thought everyone should know it was he who saved her life and that we are all very, very proud of him.
“I think the term “hero” is too loosely used and I don’t think an individual should be claimed to be a hero until they have saved someone’s life.
“Matt Roberts is undoubtedly a true hero because that is what he did.”
