Cadet receives award for sea rescue

A Rochdale cadet, Ryan Gregory, has received an award from the Royal Humane Society for bravery, after saving a friend who was caught in a riptide last summer.

In May 2018 Cadet Ryan Gregory from Rochdale Detachment, 1 (Minden) Company was on holiday with a friend and his family in Rhyl, North Wales.

The boys were playing football on the beach when the ball was accidentally kicked into the sea.

The friend went in to recover the ball as the sea appeared calm. Although a strong indoor swimmer the riptide and strong current pulled him off his feet and he was soon in trouble and unable to swim back to the shore.

Ryan shouted to the others on the beach to get help. He grabbed a nearby life ring and waded out into the sea to get as close as possible to his friend so that he could throw him the ring.

His friend was able to catch hold of the ring and Ryan dragged him to the beach where he helped him out of the water.

The RNLI and North Wales Ambulance Service attended the scene and the young man was found to be in a ‘very poor state’, showing signs of hypothermia and lapsing in an out of consciousness.

Ryan was treated for symptoms of cold from being in the water. Both were taken to hospital and later released after treatment.

SSI Debbie Callaghan PRO, Greater Manchester ACF said: “Cadet Gregory’s actions averted the possible tragic consequences that may have occurred, if he had not acted in such a selfless and brave manner. He put aside his own safety, to assess what was around to assist him in saving the life of his friend.

“Well done to Cadet Gregory on your commendable actions.”

On Saturday 26 January, Rochdale Detachment, 1 (Minden) Company, went to Holcombe Moor Training Camp where the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mr Warren J. Smith KStJ DLitt LLD presented the Testimonial on Vellum Award from the Royal Humane Society to Cadet Ryan Gregory.

 

 

The testimonial on vellum is awarded by the Royal Humane Society where someone has put themselves in considerable danger to save, or attempt to save, someone else.

The Royal Humane Society is a charity that grants awards for acts of bravery in the saving of human life and also for the restoration of life by resuscitation.