Stranger leaps into Yorkshire river to save drowning man's life

A woman who jumped into a Doncaster river to save a drowning man has been handed an award in recognition of her bravery.

Melanie Smith was a gold winner at National Police Chiefs Council’s annual Police Public Bravery Awards. The event was held at The Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield on Thursday, November 14.

The awards honour selfless members of the public who have placed themselves in dangerous situations, protected others, defended communities, prevented crime or actively assisted police.

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Melanie had been observing as police tried to help a man spotted on the wrong side of St George’s Bridge over the River Don on October 4, 2023. He was believed to be having a mental health crisis, and officers were communicating with him while stopping traffic and calling for specialist support.

The man asked for a cigarette, indicating he would then come down, but instead jumped off the bridge into the water. Officers ran down to the riverside - as did Melanie. She pointed out the man to police, said she was a strong swimmer, and jumped into the water.

Melanie shouted that she could see a stronger current ahead which meant the spluttering man could have been pulled under. She managed to swim to the middle of the river, grab the man and start swimming back to meet wading officers.

Together they got the shivering man, who was unresponsive, to the bank where he was lifted out of the water.

Chief Constable Lauren Poultney, who hosted the awards ceremony, said: “Every day we ask our police officers to put themselves between harm and the public. Even with training, safety equipment and support from other police officers, this takes great bravery to deliver.

“But when members of the public support another person - often a stranger - or support the police in their jobs they do so without the same training or knowledge. This outstanding courage needs to be recognised and it is my honour to do so through the Police Public Bravery Awards.”

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