A Hertford PCSO was involved in a dramatic rescue in the town yesterday (Wednesday, May 8).
PCSO Andrea Gibson was out on patrol in town when she received a call to deal with a group of men drinking in Folly Island, a restricted drinking area, at around 6pm.
Andrea asked the group to move on, and whilst they were doing so, one man stumbled back into the river.
His friend jumped in to try to help him out but both got into difficulty and needed help.
Speaking about the incident, PCSO Andrea Gibson said: “The friend who jumped in did brilliantly but he started to struggle and they kept going under the water. So I quickly took my high vis vest off, called for assistance, and then got into the river to help.
“I made sure I kept hold of the side, because there was the threat that I may get pulled down too. They continued to go under the water so I reached out and pulled them over, and assisted the first man by holding him up against the wall at the side of the river.
“I called for help and thankfully a member of the public came running over and helped me, by pulling him out of the water. The second man was also helped out.”
The man was then taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution.
Andrea has been thanked for her actions by Chief Inspector Gerry McDonald, who said: “This is an example of the excellent work from our PCSOs who are dedicated and go beyond the call of duty, without consideration for their own safety, to help others. I’m extremely proud of Andrea for her actions.”
Andrea added: “I didn’t really give it a second thought. I just saw there was someone in danger and I did what I needed to do to help them. It wasn’t until I got out and my colleagues arrived that I realised what I’d done and I started shaking. I’m just glad that he’s OK now.”