Police say thank you to 3 brave teenage rescuers
Published: June 1, 2005
TEAMWORK was the key to a dramatic riverside rescue, which saw three West Cumbrians rewarded for their outstanding bravery.
Workington teenagers Darren Rooke and Dean Robinson were the star guests at a special awards ceremony yesterday, along with fellow rescuer Ann Robertson.
The drama dates back to May 10, 2004, when both Darren, 16, and Dean, only 13, were swimming in the River Derwent, near Barepot.
All of a sudden they saw a body of a pensioner float past them and without hesitation knew exactly what to do.
Darren immediately swam out into the current to save the elderly man, dragging him towards the shore.
Dean ran as fast as he could to get help and returned with Mrs Robinson, a nearby resident.
Together they helped the man out of the water and tended to him until paramedics arrived at the scene.
Ron Smith, chief superintendent for West Cumbria, said that without their quick thinking the man would almost certainly have died.
He presented the three heroes with framed certificates at Workington police headquarters yesterday and praised an outstanding team effort.
Darren and Dean also received certificates from the Royal Humane Society, after being nominated by West Cumbria police.
Supt Smith said: “It was very effective teamwork and I congratulate you all.
“You all played a very important part in this rescue.”
He added that this type of dedication to others is one of the area’s biggest gems.
“West Cumbria is alive with people like this.
“There are people in our communities who, when others need assistance, are only too willing to stop and help.
“That’s exactly what we were faced with on the day in question. If any of these people had not played their part the chances are that this person would not have lived.”
Darren and Dean, who were both pupils at Southfield Technology College at the time, said they were pleased to be receiving the awards.
They said that at first they thought it was a sheep.
After realising it was actually a body, they let instinct take over and it was only days later that their brave actions really started to sink in.
Mrs Robertson said she was amazed to see the two boys keep their cool in a situation many adults would have struggled to deal with.
Chief Constable Michael Baxter also added his own message of thanks, saying the three rescuers were a credit to the area.
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