Officer leaps into canal to rescue drowning man

A police officer and a member of the public who saved a drowning man from a canal are to receive bravery awards.

PC Tom Page-Brown and Sophi Jamil Khalid will be honoured with Royal Humane Society testimonials on vellum for helping save a man who had fallen into the canal, near the Robert Stephensons bridge in Soar Lane, Leicester, on 29 April.

Page-Brown, who told the BBC he happened to be nearby at the end of his shift when he was called to the scene, said he had "no choice" but to enter the water as he saw the man disappear beneath the surface.

"I thought if I don't do something, that guy is probably going to pass away because he's literally drowning in front of my eyes," he said.

Page-Brown, who has been a police officer for nearly 10 years, was on his way back to the station when he was contacted about the man in the water.

After running through gardens and climbing down to the water's edge, he said he saw the man floating on his back, apparently being kept afloat by air trapped in his jacket.

The officer said moments later, the air escaped and the man slipped underwater.

"My decision was made for me," Page-Brown told the BBC.

"I didn't really think too much about the decision-making process - other than I genuinely need to do something now.

"I just saw his face slip underneath the water. My only choice was to get in the water."

Wearing his full police kit and boots, the 32-year-old jumped into the canal and began swimming to the man, before pulling him back.

Khalid then entered the water and started swimming out to help Page-Brown bring the man back towards the bank, where members of the public and other police officers hauled him from the canal and began first aid.

The rescued man - as well as Khalid - were taken to hospital, suffering from shock and cold water immersion - and both have since made full recoveries.

Looking back, Page-Brown added: "I knew there was some danger to myself.

"I'm getting into dark water. I don't know what's under the water and I've never been in that canal.

"But it was honestly an instinctive reaction."

The officer said he later suffered the effects of cold water immersion, but recovered after returning to the station.

"I really like being a police officer and I think that's a key function of being a police officer, to protect life," he added.

In a social media post showing footage of the rescue, a Leicestershire Police spokesperson told Page-Brown the force was "incredibly proud of your instincts and quick thinking, which have undoubtedly saved a life".

They added the officer got the man back on dry land "with help from a member of the public".

The Royal Humane Society - a charity that recognises acts of bravery in saving human life - said both men had risked their own safety by entering the cold water while fully clothed.

Its testimonial on vellum is awarded when someone has put themselves in considerable danger to save, or attempt to save, someone else.

Secretary Andrew Chapman said: "Their only thought was to save the life of the man in the water, and they succeeded.

"They did a magnificent job and showed great bravery in the risks they took.

"They richly deserve the awards they are to receive."

Page-Brown said he expected to receive the award at a ceremony in March.

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.