An Eden man has been honoured for his bravery for his part in a daring river rescue.
Robert Smallshaw, of Calthwaite, was one of three men who spotted a car floating in the River Trent in Nottinghamshire.
There was a woman inside the car and ignoring the treacherous currents in the river, which in the past has claimed many lives, they threw themselves into the water to rescue the woman.
Now Robert, Ryan Dunwell of Southampton, and Matthew Gardner, of Blackpool, have been awarded Royal Humane Society Testimonials on Parchment for their bravery and for saving the woman.
The trio, who work for Robert Nicholas Ltd, were also awarded a Chief Constable’s Commendation Award by Nottingham Constabulary.
The incident happened on the afternoon of April 13 last year. The three award winners were working on a pumping station close by when they spotted the car floating in the middle of the 50ft wide river.
Despite the dangers posed by the river the three of them went into it, and managed to reach the car, which was taking in water. They then succeeded in opening the boot and pulling the woman, who had driven into the river in a bid to commit suicide, out and drag her to the bank.
Adding his personal praise to the awards the three are to receive, Andrew Chapman, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: “All three were true heroes.
“They were the right people in the right place at the right time. The car was sinking and would have finished up under water drowning the woman but thankfully they were on the spot.
“Many people have been drowned in the past in this river which is tidal and has treacherous currents, but the three of them didn’t hesitate to go in to try and rescue the woman.
“And when they reached the vehicle they had to drag the woman out after fighting to open the boot as they could not get a door open to reach her.
“The three of them all played equal parts in this rescue and richly deserve the awards they are to receive.”
