Bravery awards after harbour rescue drama

THREE people have been presented with bravery awards after they rescued a man from a harbour in the dark, saving his life.

Ryan Leith, a port controller with Lerwick Port Authority in Shetland, jumped into the water of Lerwick Harbour to help the man during the incident which happened at around 11.30pm on November 24 last year.

Local musician Maurice Henderson and Police Scotland temporary sergeant Victoria Duthie were also involved in the rescue.

Mr Leith has been presented with the Royal Humane Society’s Testimonial on Vellum, one of the society’s top awards which recognises risk taken by an individual in a rescue.

The other two received Certificates of Commendation. Dick Wilkinson, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: “Ryan Leith was undoubtedly the right person in the right place at the right time.

“Thankfully, although it was dark and conditions were not particularly good, he spotted what was happening and took immediate action. Thanks to the efforts he, Victoria Duthie and Maurice Henderson put in, a life was saved.”

Mr Leith had just started his night shift as a port controller when he saw a woman on the edge of the Alexandra Wharf about 120 metres away and a man’s head appear above the edge, then disappear.

He lowered a life ring to the man, who was now in the water, while the woman climbed on to the jetty. The man grabbed the ring and was being pulled towards a ladder by Mr Leith when he dropped the ring and grabbed the tyres, but then became unresponsive.