Two Surrey Police officers who jumped into a freezing river to rescue a man who was pushed in have received a Chief Constable’s Commendation.

They got the awards at Guildford Cathedral on Wednesday, May 19.

Inspector Simon Patter and PC Michael Paice showed great bravery on November 24 last year, when they jumped into the freezing and fast flowing River Wey to rescue the man, who had been pushed in and washed downstream.

With no lifesaving equipment or boats to hand, PC Paice swam across the river to try to pull the man safely on to the opposite bank, only to find it was too steep to climb.

While he started CPR, Inspector Patter threw across safety lines, until two police officers arrived on a commandeered canal boat and helped pull the man on to dry land, where an ambulance took him to hospital. Unfortunately the man died.

PC Paice and Insp Patter were commended along with several other officers, who were presented with police long service and good conduct awards.