River rescue officer hailed a hero

An off-duty police officer has been hailed a hero for rescuing two boys stranded in a north Shropshire river. Sergeant Dave Clemmett will now receive an award.

As he returned from a shopping trip on July 28, Mr Clemmett bravely plunged into the River Tern at Tern Hill and plucked 11-year-old Ashley Brotherton and his brother Harry, eight, from the water.

Mr Clemmett, 46, from Market Drayton, was driving along the A41 when he spotted the drama unfolding as the boys’ mother Kristina Blundell, was stood nearby, upset and distressed.

After rescuing the pair he stayed on scene looking for a third boy who was initially unaccounted for but later turned up at home safe and well.

Now, five months after leading the boys to safety, he has been handed a divisional commendation from West Mercia Constabulary top brass for his “decisiveness and resilience” in rescuing the brothers.

Mr Clemmett, who has spent 11 years with the police, said today he did “nothing extraordinary”, adding that any member of the emergency services would have done the same in the circumstances.

“The boys’ mother told me lots of motorists just passed the scene and didn’t stop to help,” he said.

“I was just very pleased to be in the right place at the right time. I’m proud to receive this commendation, however it’s the sort of thing all emergency services personnel do day in day out.”

Mr Clemmett will receive a certificate for his efforts at a special ceremony early next year.

Detective Inspector Jason Wells, who was Acting Chief Inspector at the time, said: “Dave quickly assessed the situation and dealt with it in the best traditions of the police service.”