Award for rescuers who pulled drowning man from Black Country canal
Four people have been honoured for their bravery in trying to save a man found drowning in a canal in Wolverhampton.
Sharon Dixon spotted the man falling head first into the canal in Wednesfield on July 10 last year.
With the help of another passer-by Joseph Argyle, they managed to pull him out of the canal and onto the towpath.
The man was unconscious and had stopped breathing – so they called for an ambulance and began administering CPR on the man.
While West Midlands Police police community support officers (PCSOs) Ian Kerrigan and Simon Smith were patrolling the area at the time – and witnessed the events unfold and rushed to help the two members of the public.
The two police officers, who are trained in life-saving techniques, took over the CPR until the ambulance arrived at the scene.
A doctor stated that the only reason the man was alive when he reached the hospital was thanks to the quick response from Sharon and Joe in getting him out of the canal and the CPR that followed.
Sadly, the man later died in hospital, surrounded by his friends and family at the time.
Sharon, Joe and PCSO's Kerrigan and Smith have now been commended for their brave actions in saving the man from the canal with Royal Humane Society and Chief Constables' awards.
