Bravery award for PC who saved suspect

A POLICEMAN who dived into the Forth and Clyde canal to rescue a man suspected of breaking into a garden shed has been named as a recipient of a bravery award.

Constable John Cuthbert is to be presented with the Royal Humane Society scroll after the incident in Clydebank.

The suspect had got into difficulty attempting to swim the canal, but had disappeared under the water.

Const able Cuthbert stripped off his equipment and went in after him.

By the time the officer reached the middle of the c a na l his quar ry was completely submerged.

He dragged him to the canal bank by which time the man had started breathing again but was unresponsive.

However, he was taken to hospital and after 24 hours was released into police custody. Constable Cuthbert also had to have hospital treatment after being sick as a result of taking in canal water.

Dick Wilkinson, secretary of the society, said : “This is one suspect who had every reason to be more than thankful for the long arm of the law.

“If PC Cuthbert has not acted as rapidly as he did this man would certainly have drowned in his attempt to escape from the police.

“PC Cuthbert richly deserves the award he is to receive. I just hope the man he saved appreciates what was done for him.

“Police were called to the scene at 3am on June 6 last year by a woman who believed her shed was being broken into. When they arrived on the scene the man ran off and they gave chase.”

The presentation of the award, which has been made on the recommendation of Scottish Police, is expected to take place in the near future.

The roots of the Royal Humane Society stretch back more than two centuries. It is the premier national body for honouring bravery in the saving of human life and was founded in 1774.