RESCUER COP IN NOMINATION
A TOWNSVILLE cop has been recognised for his efforts in jumping into the Ross River to save a wanted person, just weeks after the Townsville flood.
Constable Fraser Northey, who at the time was working at Kirwan Police Station, but now in the Child Protection Unit, has since been nominated for the QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards.
In February, Constable Northey arrived at the station ready for work when he was tasked to assist with an offender who had fled police custody. When he arrived at the scene, the offender had plunged into the Ross River in an attempt to flee from police.
“Two weeks earlier our region was flooded, so the river had a stronger current than usual that wasn’t visible from the surface,” Constable Northey said. “When I arrived, the offender was in the middle of the river and struggling to keep his head above water, yelling out for help.”
Two weeks earlier, Troy Mathieson, 23, and Hughie Morton, 21, drowned in floodwaters after allegedly fleeing from a looting incident in Aitkenvale.
WHEN I ARRIVED, THE OFFENDER WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER AND STRUGGLING TO KEEP HIS HEAD ABOVE WATER, YELLING OUT FOR HELP
“As soon as I saw this offender drowning all I could think was, not again,” Constable Northey said.
Without a second thought, Constable Northey jumped into the river and dragged the offender to safety.
Constable Northey was surprised by the nomination but his colleague Constable Ben Wilson said Fraser was no stranger to heroic actions.
Earlier this year, Constable Northey was awarded the Assistant Commissioner’s Certificate for his role in helping save the life of a young woman who was seen climbing over the concrete barrier of a busy Townsville overpass.
Nominations for the award, which aims to celebrate achievements and commend those who protect Queensland, will close on August 25 with the winners to be announced in October.