Holidaying Shropshire police officer helps rescue man and boy from sea

A south Shropshire police officer enjoying a well-deserved holiday has helped to rescue a man and a young boy from the sea off the Isle of Wight.

A boy who got into difficulty and a man who entered the water to save him were rescued by members of the public near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight on Wednesday afternoon (August 5).

According to the Island Echo, one of those who leapt into action was Shropshire’s own PC Stuart Coote, who was enjoying a well-deserved break on the island.

The Island Echo reported that a boy had got into trouble in the water and a man entered the sea to try and keep him afloat.

As the pair struggled to return to land, Mr Coote and other members of the public reportedly called for help and threw life buoys into the sea before coastguard and ambulance crews arrived.

Mr Coote works for West Mercia Police’s Church Stretton and Craven Arms Safer Neighbourhood Team.

It’s not the first time he’s been hailed a hero either - having received a commendation in 2008 for stopping a man from being hit by a train.