DEARNE fire fighters have been honoured for their role in rescuing a father and son from a flooded weir in Doncaster.
During high flood levels in July of last year, the father and son used a dinghy to attempt to navigate a fast flowing river and became trapped, with the father ending up in the water.
Dearne’s Technical Rescue Unit (TRU) arrived to find crews from Edlington and Doncaster crews already on the scene.
A firefighter from Edlington had already been lowered down into the water, fitting a harness to the child and a twin line system to raise him to safety.
The firefighter then stayed with the child to protect him from large pieces of debris being carried by the flood waters, clinging onto the dinghy to prevent it being sucked into the weir.
A member of the TRU abseiled down into the water and rescued the father, using a hauling system.
All firefighters involved in the incident have now been awarded a certificate of appreciation at a ceremony at Dearne station which was presented by Couns Andrew Bosmans and Alan Atkin of South Yorkshire Fire Authority.
Area manager Phil Shillito, said: "This was a lifesaving rescue, with all crews that attended pulling together as a team and remaining professional throughout the incident.
"It was a very hazardous situation with a large amount debris in the water. Their actions and training shone through and resulted in a successful rescue."
