Heroic Skegness Police Officers Rescued Woman from Drowning
Police Officers Praised for Bravery
In an act of commendable bravery, three officers from Skegness mounted a life-saving mission on the 28th of April, 2023. Responding to alerts from asylum seekers staying in a nearby hotel, the officers located and saved a woman from drowning in the sea near the Grand Parade.
The woman had earlier absconded from hospital, but her presence in the sea was noted and reported by the alert asylum seekers. Officers PS Simon Watson, PCs Christopher Hine, Jack Craft and David Sharpe were deployed to trace the woman.
Effort and Teamwork Saves Woman
With the assistance of a drone, the officers located the woman 50 metres off shore in the cold, night-time sea waters. PS Watson and PC Hine ventured into the sea, guided by PC Sharpe's drone, to reach and secure the victim. Members of the rescue team then pulled her to safety.
Dramatic Hospital Rescue
After being retrieved from the chilling waters, the woman was rushed to hospital, where she received treatment for hypothermia.
"It's only thanks to the splendid teamwork of the police and the alert from the asylum seekers that a woman had been seen in the sea that the woman was saved. The police did a magnificent job in daunting conditions. The sea was bitterly cold and it was dark so even finding the woman in the sea was a problem. But thanks to the drone she was spotted. But going into the sea in those conditions as the three officers who are to receive awards did, carried with it serious risks for them. Nevertheless, their only thought was to save the woman and they succeeded. They are true heroes and richly deserve the awards they are to receive."
In recognition of their courage and dedication, PS Watson and PC Hine received Royal Humane Society Testimonials on Parchment, while PC Craft was awarded a Certificate of Commendation from the society.
The Royal Humane Society, the national body honouring bravery in saving human life, was established in 1774.