TWO police officers who waded into a freezing river to rescue a woman have received bravery awards for their actions.
PC James Saddoo, 40, and PC Vicky Wilson, 29, were on mobile patrol in Oswaldtwistle at the time of the incident in December last year.
It is believed the woman, who was not identified, was burying a goldfish on the bank of Tinker Brook when her black labrador dog fell into the water.
She climbed in to rescue the dog but the current was so strong she lost her footing and became stuck. The animal managed to climb back up the bank but the woman was left clutching on to a tree branch, neck-high in water.
The two officers clambered down the 15-foot embankment and waded through the water to pull the woman to safety and she was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital.
Following the dramatic rescue PC Wilson told the Observer: "In any other situation we would have waited for the other emergency services to arrive but she had been in there for a while so we just got on with it."
Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Mrs Judith Duckworth, presented the hero officers with their awards at the annual Pride of Lancashire awards evening, sponsored by BAE Systems, at Barton Grange.
A police spokesman said: "As the route to the other side of the brook would have taken a long time and their throw line would have been ineffective, the officers decided they would risk their lives and enter the water to cross to the woman.
"The woman was in the water up to her neck and was rapidly becoming weaker. Had she lost her grip before PC Saddoo and PC Wilson reached her she would have been swept downstream to an industrial unit where there was a 10-foot drop and sheer concrete walls on either side. At this point rescue would have been extremely difficult and could have proved fatal."
Lancashire Chief Constable Steve Finnigan said: "We are proud of the actions of all our officers. PC Saddoo and PC Wilson showed extreme courage and bravery in very difficult circumstances and I can't praise them enough for their actions."
