Awards for canal rescue neighbours (From The Bolton News)

Awards for canal rescue neighbours

TWO courageous men who dived into the icy waters of a canal in Little Lever in a bid to save two school boys will be given bravery awards next week.

John Kempster-Lee and Paul Riley will be honoured by the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester David Wilmot on Monday for their selfless rescue efforts.

As reported in the BEN, the brave neighbours leapt into action after two boys got into difficulties in the Bolton/Bury Canal on April 1 this year.

One boy was pulled to safety by Mr Riley. Tragically, Mr Kempster-Lee's attempts to rescue 10-year-old John Hardman were not successful.

Mr Riley will be awarded the Chief Constable's Citation of Merit and the Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Parchment, and Mr Kempster-Lee will be awarded the Royal Humane Society Commendation.

Mr Kempster-Lee said today: "It was a very tragic day. Obviously we all wish the incident had not happened and that the young lad was still alive today.

"But when something starts unfolding in front of you, you just get on with it and do what you can."

John Hardman, of Sixth Avenue, Little Lever, was playing with his brother Adam, 13, and friend Jonathon Southern, 11, by the canal at the rear of Ascot Road. Jonathon, of Bowness Road, managed to scramble free and raised the alarm.

Praised

Adam was saved by Mr Riley who dived into the canal fully clothed.

Mr Kempster-Lee was unable to find John in the murky waters. His body was eventually recovered by the emergency services.

Bolton coroner Martin Coppel praised the rescue efforts of Mr Riley and Mr Kempster-Lee at an inquest into John's death in June.

The awards ceremony on Monday will also include presentations to a number of police officers in recognition of their bravery in other incidents around Bolton.

PC Paul Anderson and PC Paul Slater will receive the Chief Constable's commendation for their role in pursuing two armed men who had raied a Bolton amusement arcade in November last year. Both officers were fired at as they chased on foot and in a car. The gunmen were later arrested and jailed for four years for armed robbery.

PC Andrea Brown will receive the commendation for helping to arrest two men who had committed an armed robbery at a post office in Little Lever in July last year. The men were jailed for more than seven years.

Sgt Darren Meadows and PC Alun Masters are being awarded the commendation for over-powering a man who fired a gun at them. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

Long service and good conduct medals will be presented to: Det Ch Insp Dave Law, Ch Insp David Wolfe, Insp Stanley Lewin, Sgt Frederick Edge, PC Steven Allman, PC Stuart Ashall, PC Judith Barnes, PC Keith Cunliffe, PC Peter Dutton, PC Peter Wild, PC John Swift, PC Yvonne Broadbent, PC Gareth Parry and PC Andrew Wood.

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