Dyfed Powys officer up for national Police Bravery Award after saving boy from drowning.

PC Marc Woods has been nominated for a national Police Bravery Award after he rescued a 10-year-old boy from a strong current in the River Wye.

On 27 July 2016, a member of the public reported hearing screams for help coming from the River Wye running parallel to the A44. PC Woods spoke to the caller and made his way to the riverside over boggy terrain. The river was swollen with a strong current.

He found a 10-year-old boy clinging to a rock in the middle of the river, unable to move and in imminent danger. The boy’s father was further down the river and also clinging to a rock. The child was prioritised and a rescue line thrown to him. PC Woods swam out to the boy and secured the rescue line to him before swimming with him to the far bank.

As this happened, additional police and Fire and Rescue Service officers arrived to rescue the boy’s father. It was established that the pair had been on their way camping when the child fell into the fast flowing river. His father entered the water to help but was also taken by the current.

Chair of Dyfed Powys Police Federation, Mark Bleasdale, said: “Without doubt, the swift actions of PC Woods saved the life of the child and this has been recognised by those involved and those present. He took a great risk in swimming across the river and showed tremendous courage in his actions, without fear for his own safety.”