Watchet Town Council honours pair who helped to save baby (From This is The West Country)

Watchet Town Council honours pair who helped to save baby

9:00am Friday 22nd February 2013 in News By Hannah Green

THE courage of George Reeder and Tanya Allen has been recognised officially by Watchet Town Council.

Dockmaster George, 63, jumped into the cold sea after six-month-old Sam Cooper-Watson’s pushchair was blown into the harbour water by a strong gust of wind on January 27.

Psychiatric nurse Tanya drew on her life-saving training undertaken through work to perform CPR on the baby as soon as he was pulled to safety.

Together with others who helped that day, the pair’s quick thinking and brave actions undoubtedly saved the baby’s life and they have been presented with engraved wooden shields by the town council.

Chairman Cllr Sally de Renzy-Martin said: “This was a very local event, so the town council felt that their bravery should be recognised here in Watchet.

“It was one of those quirks of nature that was prevented from having a much worse outcome by two very courageous Watchet residents.”

On receiving the award, George said: “I didn’t expect anything like this. People have come up to me and said I’ve saved a generation but the main thing is that little Sam’s alright and it was a good outcome.”

Tanya added: “It was really lovely. I didn’t think much about it before the presentation but they said some really lovely words about us when we were there. I was quite taken aback by it. I have got the wooden plaque up in the kitchen.”