An off-duty police officer’s been praised by a dog owner for rescuing her from the river Tees - after she herself had freed her pet from the water.

The lady was walking her two dogs in Preston Park at about 7.45am on Sunday 13th November when one suddenly got into difficulties in the water.

Seeing the dog was struggling to keep his head above the water, the lady went to the water’s edge to try to help but she slipped into the water from the muddy bank.

By now she had managed to push her dog to the riverbank, but she was up to her neck in the freezing cold water.

Around 20 minutes later PC Cain Williams who works in Cleveland Police’s Learning and Development Team and who was also in the park saw the lady, reassured her and pulled her out of the water and then checked she was ok.

The lady said: “If Cain hadn’t been so kind to stop and help me (and to do so without a flicker of hesitation), this story could have ended very differently.

“I don’t think I could have safely sustained being immersed in cold water for much longer without becoming unwell or drowning.

“Cain didn’t hesitate to assist when he realised that I was in trouble, and he went above and beyond the call of duty to help me.

“I’m extremely grateful for the kindness he showed, and he truly deserves to be recognised for this act.

“I really would like to say a huge heartfelt thank you to Cain for his actions.”

PC Major’s supervisor, Training Inspector Steve Bell, added: “We’re really proud that PC Major’s first instinct was to help this lady. The situation could have ended very differently had he not been in the area and taken such swift action. I’m so glad everyone and the dog was ok!”

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