Broads boat hirer receives Royal Humane Society Award

A Broads boat hirer who saved a pensioner who couldn’t swim from drowning in the Broads has been honoured for his bravery.

The Broads Authority’s Chief Executive John Packman presented John Cressy with a Royal Humane Society award for rescuing a 72 year old woman when she was dragged into the river by her cruiser near Acle Bridge.

Calling Mr Cressy an “unsung hero”, Dr Packman said: “If ever there was a true 'Broadsman' it would be John Cressey. The act of saving this woman is typical of him during his many years living and working on the Broads. He has rescued other people in the past and he is always willing and keen to help anyone out
 no matter what time of day and whatever the weather.

“Because of his experience he can foresee the dangers and can spot a problem and sort it out. John is always positive and enthusiastic and able to overcome any problem.  I’d like to thank him for helping to make the Broads a safer place place.”

Patricia Scott, from York, who was not wearing a lifejacket, was on holiday on the Broads last year when she stepped off her cruiser to moor at the Horizon Craft boatyard. Her husband had left the boat in reverse gear and the boat went backwards, dragging Mrs. Scott into the river still hanging onto the rope. It hit another cruiser with three young men on board.

 Mr Cressy, a 60 year old diver and part-time fireman, runs Maffett Cruisers boat hire at Chedgrave, as well as Breydon Towboat Service with his family. He had been clearing propellers at Acle when he witnessed the incident and acted swiftly.

“I told the lady to hang onto the rope. I jumped into a rowing boat and rowed to the bank where I knew the boat would finish up. The boat was travelling at about 3mph and there was a strong current and a lot of wind and waves.  I grabbed her hand and whipped her out just as the boat was about to hit her. She was very cold and frightened.”

Mr Cressy’s wife Linda and daughter-in-law Jane Devereux-Turner prevented other people from jumping in to rescue Mrs Scott and called the ambulance.

Mrs Scott said she slipped when she stepped ashore. “I went under the water and climbed up the rope hand over hand until I was above the surface. The boat was pulling me across the river.  Someone got on a boat and put a life-ring through my legs and another man grabbed me and pulled me out. I was very shocked.

“I am very grateful to the people who rescued me If we had been in a quieter spot on the river who knows what would have happened? If we come to the Broads again I am going to buy myself a lifejacket.” Gary Leach from St Lawrence, Essex, who was also at the scene, received a Royal Humane Society certificate for the rescue, although he was not able to attend the presentation. He helped Mrs Scott into the lifebelt and boarded her cruiser to switch off the engine.

Steve Birtles, Head of Safety Management at the Broads Authority, said: “We strongly advise people to wear lifejackets whenever they are on or near the water. Most accidents happen when people are getting on and off their boats and mooring.

In three out of four cases of people drowning this year wearing a lifejacket could have changed the outcome. Two of these were boat hirers—one of them very experienced—and one was a private boater.

We are currently carrying out a lifejacket survey to find out why people are not wearing lifejackets and are liaising  with the hire boat industry to see how we can get the message over more effectively.”