A OFF-DUTY police sergeant who rescued two young boys from a river has been thanked by their mother and praised by senior officers for his actions.
Sgt Dave Clemmett was driving along the A41 in Tern Hill just before 3pm on Monday when he came across the lady, who was parked at the roadside and clearly in distress.
He stopped and asked what was wrong and she told him her two boys were trapped in the River Tern below and could not get out.
Although the police and fire service had been called, Sgt Clemmett headed down to the river and entered the water, reassuring the two boys before carrying them to safety up the bank.
He said: “It was really a case of being in the right place at the right time. The water wasn’t very deep, but it was right where it passes under the road and is very sandy and silty.
"The boys had entered the river further up but had got into difficulties and become frightened where it passes beneath the A41, where the banks are very steep on either side and are covered in thick, high vegetation so they couldn’t get out.
"I got into the water and helped the two of them out and up the bank. There was a third boy unaccounted for so I walked along the riverbed to try and find him, with the fire service and police arriving a short time later.
“Luckily he had managed to get himself out and had gone home. I’m just pleased I was able to help and that things had a happy ending.”
Acting Chief Inspector Jason Wells, in charge of Local Policing for Shropshire, said: “Although off duty, Sgt Clemmett stopped and quickly assessed the situation, before entering the water and carrying the two boys back to the roadside.
“He then continued to search for the third boy until it was established he had got out and was safe and well at home.
“I praise his quick and decisive actions which went above and beyond the call of duty.”
The mother, who didn’t want to be identified, thanked Sgt Clemmett for helping her sons and said he was “absolutely fantastic”.
