FOUR police officers have been praised after rescuing a man from a fast flowing river just as he was about to be swept over a weir.

The man, who was spotted floating face down in the river, showed no signs of life but officers succeeded in resuscitating him.

Police responded to reports of a body in the River Wear, at Milburngate Bridge, in Durham City, shortly after 1.30pm yesterday.

Acting Sergeant Louise Gore, who co-ordinated the response, said: “Several people on the river bank pointed to the man who was floating face down in the river and was about to go over a weir.

“If he had done so we would have lost him, as the water was flowing quite fast.”

PC Gary Smith and PC Michael Orridge went into the water, followed by Acting Sergeant Gore.

She said: “The water was waist height for me and it was hazardous because of rubbish in the river and silt that came up to our calves.”

PC Smith and PC Orridge managed to stop the man going over the weir and were helped by Acting Sgt Gore to pull him to the river bank.

“We assumed he was dead at that point, as he showed no signs of life and his face was blue. We got his head on to the river bank. I gave him chest compressions while PC Smith gave him mouth-to-mouth and PC Orridge held his body steady in the water.”

PC Smith said: “After a few chest compressions he spluttered up water and we kept on going.”

PC Neville Waller also entered the water to help carry the man out.

The man slipped in and out of consciousness, but the officers continued working on him until paramedics from the North East Ambulance Service arrived.

The man, who is in his 50s, was last night recovering at the University Hospital of North Durham.

Inspector Tony Myers said: “The four officers involved have not lost sight of their first responsibility – that is to save life and limb – and have taken swift action with no thought for their own safety.

“They have acted in the finest tradition of Durham Constabulary. I am personally very proud of them.”