RIVER HERO TEENS
Girls who saved OAP on bravery gong shortlist
TWO teenage girls whose teamwork rescued a pensioner after he had been kicked into a river have been nominated for a bravery award.
Friends Ellie Hughes and Khloe Woods, both 15, heard cries for help as they walked by the Mersey.
Ellie said: “When we saw the man in the water holding on to a branch, we just immediately started to help him.” Khloe added: “Ellie had hold of me and I reached out and grabbed the man.
“I was worried that when he let go of the branch I might lose my grip and he would have gone down the river.”
The 74-year-old victim had been fishing in Warrington, Cheshire, when a yob kicked him into the water.
The girls, who live nearby, have met his family and been thanked for their heroics in person. They have now reached the final four of the Young Hero category in the Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons, and have been invited to the virtual ceremony on October 5.
It will be hosted by BBC1
We just immediately started helping him
presenter Rachel Burden. Falklands War hero Simon Weston is also a judge and will be guest of honour. Benjamin Bridgeman, 19, of Warrington, was jailed for 10 weeks after admitting assault. A boy of 15 who filmed the assault got a youth referral order. paul.byrne@mirror.co.uk