Quick-thinking police officers save woman from drowning in York lake

PC Ryan Innes and PC Ben Hallewell, from York Neighbourhood Policing Team, saved the woman after spotting her in a distressed state in Rawcliffe Lake at around 3.30am today (Tuesday).

After wading out 40 metres to the middle of the lake to stop her from drowning, they pulled the woman back to the edge.

She was unconscious but Traffic Constable Richard Harrison, of the Roads Policing Group, carried out CPR on her.

The woman, aged in her late 40s, regained consciousness and she is now being treated at York District Hospital.

Superintendent Adam Thomson, Neighbourhood Policing Commander for York and Selby, said: “I can think of only one word to best describe the officers’ actions in this incident and that is ‘heroic’.

“Confronted with these desperate circumstances, they very quickly and bravely used their training to save the woman’s life.

“They are a credit to North Yorkshire Police and we can all be proud and thankful that we have such tremendously dedicated people in our local police service.”

North Yorkshire Police said the officers will be nominated for bravery commendations.