Bride reunited with hero who saved her from lake
Special wedding present as rescuer invited to pair’s big day
A bride’s wedding day became extra special after she was reunited with the fearless woman who saved her life as a child more than three decades ago.
Louise Cooper, née Carter, was just seven years old when she slipped and fell in the lake at Mote Park in Maidstone.
She had tried to cross the lake at the weir but was swept out into the water on October 17, 1987 – the day after the Great Storm had battered the country.
But a nearby dog walker immediately jumped in and swam over to rescue the youngster. Louise’s father got in touch with KentOnline last year, asking for our help in tracking down his daughter’s rescuer, so he could extend an invite to the big day.
Pamela Kelly, now an 80-yearold great-grandmother to four children, was found in Poole, Dorset.
And she made the 150-mile journey to Hoo, near Rochester, to witness Louise and partner Ian tie the knot. Mrs Kelly said: “It was a lovely, lovely day, albeit a bit embarrassing at times.
“It was a long time ago so the invite came out of the blue but it was very interesting and nice to meet her and her brother and dad and all the family.
“It’s a stand-out memory, you don’t tend to forget things like that.
“She said ‘thank you’ so much and that she wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t done that.”
Louise added: “People always say their wedding is the perfect day but for us it really, genuinely was.
“Pam was being quizzed and questioned by all the family and I think she had an amazing time. “We gave her a big ‘thank you’ bouquet and promised to stay in touch. She is such a lovely lady.” Pam had a special wedding
‘It’s a stand-out memory, you don’t forget things like that. She said thank you so much and that she wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t done that’
present for the pair, which she had made herself.
“She’s quite into embroidery and she’d made a cushion for us with our names and the date of the wedding which is just beautiful,” said Louise.
“It’s going to take pride of place on our sofa when we move house next February.”