Avid angler dived into chilly lake to save fallen friend

AN 80-year old angler who jumped into near-freezing water to save the life of a fellow fisherman has been honoured for his heroism.

Cyril Bates sprang into action when he realised pal Bob Yale was in trouble on a cold November night.

He dragged the unconscious 82-year-old Bob out of a tangle of vegetation in the water, ensured he was secure then raced to fetch help from a nearby farmhouse.

Emergency responders later said without quickthinking Cyril’s practical reactions, Bob may have perished.

The Tamworth resident was duly invited to Hinckley Fire Station as a guest of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service where he was presented with an award by chief officer Steve Lunn.

Steve said: “Although we always advocate calling the emergency services to deal with a situation like this, undoubtedly, Cyril’s quick thinking under pres- sure and his subsequent actions until the fire and rescue service arrived, helped save Bob’s life and should therefore be commended.”

The drama happened on Thursday November 3 last year when both Bob and Cyril decided to visit their local fishing lake at Boundary Farm, Orton on the Hill.

At around 3.50pm, with the light fading, Bob began to assemble his fishing gear at the edge of the lake.

Suddenly he lost his footing, slipped and fell head first into the water, and lost consciousness.

Cyril had already set up his equipment on the opposite side of the lake and had settled down to fish when he heard a splash and saw Bob had suddenly disappeared.

The pensioner raced around the bank, calling for Bob and finally came across him, caught up in weed.

Selflessly jumping in after him, Cyril dragged Bob back onto the verge and raced off to his car to find something he could secure his friend with until help arrived.

With no phone signal, Cyril had to tie Bob to a small tree with a tow and drive off to raise the alarm himself.

He came across a farmhouse where he told the family to call 999. While the farm owner did this, his two granddaughters went with Cyril to stand sentry and help guide the emergency services to the lake.

Although the initial call came to Hinckley Fire Station, firefighters from nearby Atherstone turned out and administered first aid until paramedics arrived.

Bob was taken to Uni- versity Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire where he received further treatment and made a full recovery.

Cyril Bates sprang into action and rescued friend and fellow angler Bob Yale when he fell into a fishing lake at Orton on the Hill near Twycross. Pictured: Cyril with wife Hazel, friend Bob Yale and his wife Pauline and Steve Lunn and firefighters at...