WISBECH: Helicopter crew who helped save a Wisbech woman are to be rewarded for their efforts

A HELICOPTER crew who helped save the life of a Wisbech woman in a dramatic rescue are set to be rewarded for their efforts.

The two police constables and pilot are among those receiving commendations at the Chief Constable's Annual Awards Ceremony on Monday.

The ceremony, which will take place at Hinchingbrooke School Performing Arts Centre, in Huntingdon, will also see awards presented for police long service and good conduct and outstanding contributions to various high-profile policing operations.

Judges' commendations, retirement certificates and Royal Humane Society Awards will also be handed out.

The helicopter crew - PC Robert Davies, PC Lorna Clarke and pilot Richard Hill - will receive Royal Humane Society Awards for rescuing a woman who was stranded in a muddy river in a remote area of Wisbech with tidal water quickly rising around her.

PC Davies located the woman from the helicopter using the onboard thermal camera, with PC Garner confirming his findings. The woman was a substantial distance from the ground search teams so Richard took the life-saving decision to land on the river bank.

Once they were on land, PC Davies reassured the woman while PC Garner and Richard located the recently installed throw line. The pair threw the rescue rope out to the woman and then all three helped to pull her to safety.

People who witnessed the rescue have said that had the helicopter team not been present the woman would almost certainly never have been found alive.