Video: CCTV captures the lifesaving rescue. (CCTV: Nottingham Forest Football Club)
Police have released CCTV footage capturing the moment two quick-thinking officers saved the life of a man who fell into the River Trent.
The CCTV shows the moments after a man fell into the water, with officers leaping into action to save him, including PC James Patterson who entered the water with a life ring tied with a rope.
PC Patterson swam out to the middle of the fast-flowing river and grabbed hold of the man while PC Paul Easter and a number of other officers worked together to pull them both to safety.
The man survived the incident was taken to hospital for treatment.
Four of the officers who were most involved in the rescue have been recommended for a commendation or award following the incident on Saturday, 18 February.
PC Patterson said shortly after the incident: “Ever since I joined the police I have listened to similar incidents and imagined what I would do in a similar scenario, having been on the underwater search unit I have played this exact scene out in my mind and how I would react to it.
“The moment I started taking my clothes off to enter the water it became real but adrenaline kicked in and I just went in to auto pilot.
“When I was told that the male was now breathing again I had an overwhelming emotion of achievement that I can’t really explain.
“There are some things you train for thinking you will never get to put into action, to get that opportunity and to save a life as a result has given me one of those rare moments where you actually look in the mirror and think ‘well done you’.”
PC Patterson and PC Easter had been inside the City Ground after being deployed to Forest’s home match against Sheffield Wednesday when the incident unfolded.
