It’s Hoff-icial – star wants to meet hero of river rescue
DAVID Hasselhoff is hoping to meet a hero policeman nicknamed ‘The Hoff’ after jumping into a freezing cold river to save a man’s life.
The actor, who played head lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in Baywatch, saw a video of Mohammed Nadeem, who lives in Rochdale, leaping into the River Irwell in Bury on Saturday after a man he was trying to help fell in.
Pc Nadeem’s heroics saw colleagues nickname him ‘The Hoff’.
And now Hasselhoff, who also starred in 1980s television series Knight Rider, has praised the student officer saying he wants to ‘shake his hand’.
The actor said: “The real heroes are the ones who act on instinct without hesitation, the ones who believe that we all can help each other.
“I want to meet the real heroes and say, ‘Good on you. Let me shake your hand’... ‘One man can make a difference’ is the theme of Knight Rider, this student police officer made the difference. So cool, so proud. Give it up for Mohammed, the new Hoff.”
Despite not being a strong swimmer, Pc Nadeem made a splitsecond decision to go into the water close to Hardys Gate Bridge.
He didn’t have time to take off his heavy police gear and was forced to battle against a strong current, but managed to pull the man to safety.
The man was checked out by paramedics and was unharmed.
Pc Nadeem, who only joined the force nine months ago, said saving a life was the ‘greatest feeling he could have’ in his job.
Describing the moment he went into the water the 32-year-old, who is based at Bury station, said: “I was in shock.
“I didn’t know how deep the water was.
“I didn’t know what sort of health condition this man had or if he could swim.
“At that moment in time I was just thinking the worst.
“As soon as I got in it was head deep and freezing cold. Having my body gear on, weighing a lot extra, it pulled me down.
“Somehow I managed to get to him and bring him to a place of safety.
“I wouldn’t say I’m a good swimmer, especially in deep flowing water. Saving him is the best feeling in the job.
“We are there to protect people, to save people.
“I always wanted to help people – to be there for people, to fight crime and prevent crime.”