Hero cop rescues 7 from river
Published 30 Aug. 2006
A POLICE constable pulled seven people and a dog to safety after huge waves capsized their speedboat next to a pontoon yesterday.
PC Dawn Smith hauled three men, three women, a 12-year-old girl and a chihuahua out of the water before they were crushed by their 18ft boat.
The 5ft 5in officer said: “They were in a really dangerous position, the waves had washed them against the pontoon and was washing the boat against them.
“They were four or five feet down so I pulled them out one by one.
“I don’t know where I got my strength from. One of the men said I was stronger than I looked because I’m only small.”
PC Smith was watching from a patrol boat as the family and friends tried to cross the River Crouch near Burnham, Essex.