Police Rescue Man from Wandsworth Common Pond
Two officers wade in to retrieve man seen floating on water
PC Amy Bale and PC Red Haddouch wade into the water. Picture: Met Police
Two police officers have been praised after wading into a pond in Wandsworth Common to rescue a man.
PC Amy Bale and her colleague PC Red Haddouch, both based on South West BCU, were called to the scene after a man was spotted floating on the water on Thursday, 16 July.
He did not respond to their calls and with other emergency services still en route, the officers felt they had no option but to go into the water and pull him out.
“He was gradually starting to go under and I was very worried that if that happened, we wouldn’t be able to find him again,” said PC Bale.
“At that stage, PC Haddouch and I just looked at each other and it was an automatic decision to get in ourselves and help him out.
“Luckily the water wasn’t deep and we managed to just wade across to him and pull him out onto the side where we put him in the recovery position.
“In a situation like that, where you know someone’s life looks to be in danger, it’s human instinct more than anything. You just do what you have to do.”
PC Bale then managed to build up a good rapport with the man and accompanied him to hospital, spending the next three hours in her wet uniform.
She then headed back to the station, had a shower, and went back out on patrol.
“I definitely slept well that night – it was a long day!” said PC Bale, who joined the Met in 2019.
“But this is the reason I wanted to join the police and why I love it, because no two days are ever the same.”
Sergeant James O’Connor said: “PC Bale and PC Haddouch had just minutes to make a decision on the best course of action and their speed and bravery meant the incident had a positive outcome.
“This is a great example of our officers selflessly putting the public first and while they have played it down as just another day at work, I am exceptionally proud of them and their actions.”
July 24, 2020