Two Bedfordshire Police officers who rescued a woman in distress from a freezing cold River Great Ouse have been nominated for The National Police Bravery Awards.
The officers, PC Matthew Garfitt and PC Russell Mapley attended a call in early February 2021, and were told a woman was having a mental health crisis.
She had made it to the River Great Ouse in Bedford and other officers heard her on the phone to a support agency, saying that she loved her children. Then they heard a splash and saw her jump into the fast-flowing river.
She was in distress in the freezing cold river when PC Garfitt and PC Mapley attempted to use lifebuoys to rescue her. Unfortunately, they failed to reach her, as she was being carried away by the current.
PC Mapley decided to try and swim towards her and was able to grab hold of her. By this stage, the woman was in considerable distress and freezing cold. The current was so strong that PC Mapley struggled to bring her to the edge, so PC Garfitt jumped in and swam to help.
Other officers on the river bank tied a number of buoys together and threw them to PC Mapley, who grabbed them, and the officers managed to pull all three people to safety.
The other officers pulled the woman onto the bank and checked her vital signs; she was unconscious. A passing nurse assisted before an ambulance arrived. The woman regained consciousness and was taken to the local hospital for treatment. She is now being treated by the NHS for her mental health.
Bedfordshire Police Federation Chair, Stephen Bozward said: “PC Mapley and PC Garfitt did not hesitate to act to save the life of the female.
“In fact, both of them had to be helped from the water by other officers, as they were so cold and exhausted from fighting the very strong current. The river was swollen and full from recent floodwater and the weather was only just above freezing.
“We are proud of these officers’ brave and selfless actions, putting themselves in danger to save a woman in trouble.”
As well as being nominated for The National Bravery Awards, both officers are due to be awarded a Royal Humane Certificate and a Chief Constable’s Bravery Commendation.
The National Police Bravery Awards honour officers from across England and Wales who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.
As nominees, PC Garfitt and PC Mapley will attend an awards ceremony in London on 9 December 2021. The 2020 event – the 25th National Police Bravery Awards – had to be cancelled due to coronavirus.
