Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) was called to reports of people in trouble in the water on Eagle Drive in Northampton shortly before 3pm on Tuesday July 28.
An initial statement from NFRS said: “One man and one woman believed to be adults were rescued from the water by specialist water-rescue firefighters and brought to safety on the bank, where they were left in the care of EMAS." However, it later appeared that the man had in fact rescued the woman who was described by witnesses as ‘drowning’.
Kyran-lee Wilson said: “There was a girl drowning in the lake and I’d swam 30-40 metres out to her carrying logs and when she’d gone underneath the water I’d managed to get a log underneath her to bring her back up to the surface.
"I stayed in the water with her until the fire service came then they took her and I swam back and then fire and rescue grabbed me as I was back at the shore.”
The heroic man said the fire crews responding to the 999 call would be five minutes so he ‘took matters into my own hands.’
People on the Chron’s Facebook page were quick to praise the man saying: “Well done you. Saved her life, good thing a float aid.” Another said: “You should feel proud of yourself. An amazing act of bravery.”
A second statement from NFRS stated: “The man went into the water at Delapre Lake to help the woman. Specialist water-rescue crews then rescued both of them and brought them to safety on the bank.”
Fire crews also said it would like to urge members of the public to follow advice to keep themselves safe around water this summer.
• Never enter the water to rescue someone
• Call 999 and ask for the fire service if someone is in difficulty in the water
• Throw something that floats and encourage them to float on their back
• Avoid swimming in open water unless it is a designated, supervised location
• Keep a close eye on children near water at all times
Anyone who sees a person in distress in the water is asked to phone 999 immediately, tell the person to float on their backs, and throw a buoyancy aid instead of getting into the water themselves.
If you find yourself in trouble in the water, remember: Float to live. Tilt your head back, relax and control your breathing until you can call for help or reach safety
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Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of people in trouble in Delapre Lake shortly before 3pm on July 28 Photo: Richard Durham
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Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of people in trouble in Delapre Lake shortly before 3pm on July 28 Photo: Richard Durham
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Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of people in trouble in Delapre Lake shortly before 3pm on July 28 Photo: Richard Durham