Police officers jumped into canal to rescue man

The police officers have won an award for jumping into the canal "without hesitation" to rescue the unresponsive man

Three police officers who tried to save a drowning man have won an award for bravery.

Insp Matthew Barnes, PC Simon Jesse and student officer Aaron Numan were called to reports of a man face down in the water in Wolverhampton.

When they arrived at the scene, bystanders told them he had stopped struggling a few minutes earlier.

It happened on an isolated section of the canal at the rear of Albion Street, which had no nearby towpath.

'Without hesitation'

The Police Federation said PC Jesse and officer Numan entered the water "without hesitation", and were soon joined by Insp Barnes, who had not long arrived at the scene.

The trio swam across and got him out of the canal and onto the nearest towpath.

“We could see the top of the man’s head in the canal - we both knew there was only one option and that was to get in the water and get him out,” said student officer Numan, who joined the force just under two years ago.

“To be honest, we didn’t even speak about it. At the end of the day, our priority as police officers is to save lives and protect the public.

"We knew what we needed to do.”

'Any officer would'

PC Jesse said that the water "got very deep, very quickly".

“We didn’t have an issue getting into the water, it was getting the male that was a challenge,” PC Jesse said, who is heading into his 16th year with the force.

“But if there’s the chance of saving someone’s life, you do it.

"I think any officer would do the same, we just happened to be there on the day.”

The three officers, plus two other colleagues who had arrived on the scene, immediately started CPR on the man, who had no pulse and was not breathing.

This continued for around 10 to 15 minutes before being joined by paramedics.

Despite a pulse being re-established, the man did not regain consciousness and died five days later.

Although he did not recover, the actions of all those involved gave his family a chance to see him in hospital.

'Put their lives at risk'

Insp Becky Taylor who nominated the officers for the West Midlands Police Federation Bravery Award, said: “Without a second thought each one of those officers put their lives at risk.

"This was a completely selfless act of bravery and one that should be recognised.”

Speaking about receiving the award, Mr Numan said: “It’s a great feeling and it’s nice to be recognised.”

PC Jesse said it "was a bit of a surprise", adding: “I’m really happy. It’s nice to get recognition.”

The awards take place on Wednesday, where the three officers will receive their Wolverhampton area award.