It was estimated that he had been underwater for approximately 20 minutes prior to the crew arriving.
Because the fire station was near to the incident and due to the urgency of the call, the crew responded on foot to the river as they knew this would provide a quicker response.
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Under extremely challenging circumstances, the decision was made to commit two crew members into the river to carry out a rescue.
With the crew briefed, Mr Wharton, crew manager, and another firefighter entered the water, supported by the rest of the crew from the river bank.
The two crew members who entered the river finally located the casualty under the water.
Queen’s Gallantry Medal
Michael Hooper and Stephen Quartermain, Leicestershire Police, for attempting to rescue those who were involved in a helicopter crash at the King Power Stadium, Leciester, on 27 October 2018.
On 27 October 2018, Leicester City Football Club played West Ham United Football Club at the King Power Stadium, Leicester. After the game, a helicopter crashed and caught fire in a car park at Filbert Way, Leicester, adjacent to the stadium.
Police Sergeant Michael Hooper and Police Constable Stephen Quartermain were on uniformed duty in a police car assisting with the policing of the football match, when they observed the helicopter take off and then start to descend, quickly and out of control.
AWARDS which recognise inspirational women across Bolton and the North-west are being extended to the rest of the country and the rest of the world for 2021. In the first week of opening for nominations, the She Inspires Awards have received more than 120 nominations including from as far afield as Australia. The seventh annual awards are being held at Whites Hotel on November 25. They were originally started by Gulnaz Brennan through the Women in Neighbourhoods’ movement to honour women across the borough in every area of life. They have grown each year although last year had to be held virtually because of the pandemic and were staged at the University of Bolton.