Brave Students Save Lives!

We are so proud of three of our Public Services students, Oliver Barker, Oliver Taylor, and Lewis Watts who displayed impressive quick-thinking and commendable bravery to rescue a father and son who go into difficulties in the River Wharfe at Burnsall.

The three friends visited Burnsall to celebrate finishing their Public Services course spending an enjoyable and relaxing afternoon by the river. At around 4.25pm, they heard a cry for help from the water and realised a small child was submerged out of his depth. The boy’s father had attempted to rescue him but unfortunately couldn’t swim and he himself got into difficulties.

Realising immediately both father and son were at risk of drowning, the three boys entered the water without hesitation. Oliver Barker and Oliver Taylor managed to reach the child, and Oliver B was able to bring the child safely to the sure whilst Oliver T and Lewis searched for the dad who was under the water. They were able to locate the father and held him afloat before Oliver B re-entered the water and as a group brought the father to the riverbank.

Oliver Barker said, “Thankfully both of them were okay. We are all Public Services students and as soon as we saw them struggling in the water we knew we had to go in and give them the best chance of getting back safely and thankfully we managed to do this.”

Oliver Taylor added, “It was a bit of a shock after but being completely honest I felt okay, our main priority was to save them.”

James Simpkin and Steve Wilson, Public Services tutors commented, “At Craven College, we’re incredibly proud of Oliver, Oliver and Lewis. Their bravery, selflessness and ability to work together under immense pressure are a credit to themselves, their families and the College.

“Their actions undoubtedly made a life-changing difference and demonstrate the values of courage, teamwork and public service that lie at the heart of the course they are studying with us.”

Oliver B and Lewis hope to go on to become firefighters whilst Oliver T is aiming to join the armed police, and we feel sure their quick thinking and bravery will hold them in good stead to succeed in their future careers.

We are so immensely proud of our students who have undoubtedly saved lives and turned what could have been a terrible tragedy into a positive outcome.