Police award for hero who saved drowning woman from Boston waterway

A member of the public who dived into the freezing waters of a Boston drain to rescue a woman who was drowning was among those honoured at a police awards ceremony.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Nov 2018, 11:31 BST
Updated 23rd Nov 2018, 11:37 BST
The presentation event by Lincs PoliceThe presentation event by Lincs Police
The presentation event by Lincs Police

Paul Green didn’t hesitate when he spotted the woman struggling, and was awarded the Public Appreciation Certificate by Lincolnshire Police at an event recently.A sharp-thinking Boston businessman who foiled a Rolex watch scam was also among those honoured by the force.Police officers, staff and members of the public were all recognised at the ceremony at the force headquarters in Nettleham. The awards were presented by the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mr Ian Walter.A force spokesman said Paul Green jumped into the Maud Foster drain in Boston when he noticed a woman struggling in the water in January this year.“The woman was struggling to stay afloat and was becoming very distressed,” the spokesman said. “Paul jumped into the drain and waded into deep water, placing himself in great danger to rescue the woman.”He managed to drag the woman to the bank to safety, where emergency crews assisted the woman and Paul.“Paul’s bravery and selfless actions was a truly outstanding demonstration of a member of public assisting to save another person’s life,” the spokesman added.Boston businessman Tim Hopper was presented with the Public Appreciation Certificate.The force spokesman said he became suspicious of a scammer when two people entered his shop in Boston and bought six Rolex watches at different times.He asked to speak to the couple out of earshot of their mobile phone, which had an open line to the suspect.“After speaking to the couple, Mr Hopper quickly identified that they had been victims of fraud and took them straight to the police station,” the spokesman said.“Mr Hopper’s diligence in recognising this as fraud was paramount.”Other awards handed out at the event included the Royal Humane Resuscitation Certificate for two PCs who saved the life of a five-year-old boy in Stamford who had stopped breathing and a certificate of the Chief Constable’s Commendation went to a PCSO who restrained a man trying to throw himself from a mult-storey car park.A police sergeant who set up the Sandi Starfish scheme in Skegness to help find missing children also received the Chief Constable’s Commendation