Girls play vital part in river rescue
By ANDREW McGILL MUM, I think I ve just saved someone s life. Those were the words of 12-year-old schoolgirl Lauren Foster after a dramatic river rescue last week. Lauren and her sister Natasha, 10, had been to meet friends at Godmanchester recreation
By ANDREW McGILL
"MUM, I think I've just saved someone's life."
Those were the words of 12-year-old schoolgirl Lauren Foster after a dramatic river rescue last week.
Lauren and her sister Natasha, 10, had been to meet friends at Godmanchester recreation ground when Natasha heard anguished cries coming from the river Great Ouse.
The Godmanchester School pupil spotted a man and his son clinging to a branch in the fast-moving water. Their canoe had overturned near to Port Holme on the river.
It was Hinchingbrooke School pupil Lauren who had her mobile phone with her and dialled 999 to bring the emergency services to the scene.
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The fire brigade soon arrived to rescue the man and boy from the Great Ouse. They had been clinging on to a branch to avoid being swept away.
Proud mum Melanie Foster said: "I was at home and didn't know anything about it until I had a phone call from Lauren.
"She said; Mum, I think I've just saved someone's life."
The incident happened at about 2pm last Tuesday, July 17.
The man and his son, believed to be Dutch, had been hanging onto a tree in the river to avoid being swept away. Fire-fighters pulled the pair from the river and they suffered no serious injuries.
Lauren and Natasha have been praised for their actions by the emergency services.
Carl Pardon, watch manager at Huntingdon fire station said: "Thanks to the girls' actions we were able to get the man and boy to safety before they became too weak to hold on.
"The current was moving very fast and the water was extremely cold. I don't know how much longer they could have stayed there."
Mrs Foster added: "The girls were emotionally drained in the evening but we are very proud of them.
"Lauren went to the local fire station with the school when she was in year five and it seems that something stuck."
INFORMATION: The fire brigade is advising anyone who ventures into the water to wear a life jacket and for members of the public to be aware of currents.
