A POLICE officer who saved a man’s life in a river rescue has been given a special award.

PC Sam Goodsell has received a Chief Constable’s Commendation following the incident in March 2019.

A man in his 40s had been found injured and unconscious in the River Ock, Abingdon.

Police and ambulance crews were called to the scene shortly before 4.30pm on March 4, 2019.

Thames Valley Police described the incident near St Helen’s Court as a ‘fear for welfare’.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) reported the man was in a ‘potentially life-threatening condition’ upon arrival and was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

A SCAS spokeswoman said at the time: “We had on scene a community responder, ambulance crew, ambulance officer, rapid response vehicle and critical care unit assessing and treating one male patient, who was in a potentially life-threatening condition.

“He was treated at the scene by all our crews and taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.”

PC Goodsell was given his award by Chief Inspector Guy Elkins, on behalf of the Chief Constable.