Two police officers and a paramedic have been honoured after they resuscitated a man with terminal cancer who tried to commit suicide by jumping into the Thames near Cutty Sark.
Police Constables Andy Payne and David Paine and London Ambulance Service paramedic Harry Ryder risked their lives in an attempt to save the man who was found face down in the water after leaping from the river bank on June 26, 2014.
When the officers arrived Mr Ryder had already climbed down on to the shoreline 12ft below.
But battling rough water and an ever-decreasing shoreline, the paramedic struggled to give first aid to the victim who by this time was unconscious and not breathing.
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The officers rushed down to help, with PC Payne starting CPR compressions with one hand whilst clinging onto the man’s clothing to stop him drifting out into the river.
Meanwhile PC Paine fetched emergency equipment from paramedics on the river bank and between them they provided life-saving CPR in difficult circumstances.
By the time help arrived and the victim was transported to Greenwich Pier, the water was already past their knees.
The victim, who had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer, regained consciousness and was transferred to King College Hospital, but died a few weeks later.
PC Andy Payne received a Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificate, whilst PC David Paine and Mr Ryder received a Royal Humane Society Certificate of Commendation.
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