Hero jumps into Doncaster canal to rescue stricken pensioner

The member of the public jumped in and pulled the man, aged in his 80s, from the water, before our officers arrived and helped with the rescue, carrying out emergency first aid on the scene to resuscitate him.

It happened near Thorne Boat Services on Orchard Street, Thorne, at 8am on Saturday, May 23. We don’t know how the man came to be in the water.

But we were told by medics that without the intervention of the member of the public and our officers the pensioner would not have survived.

Both officers and the member of public have been put forward for their actions and bravery to be recognised

That was one of many incidents in a busy month for Doncaster East neighbourhood team, as reported crime levels have pretty much returned to pre-lockdown levels, while we are still out enforcing lockdown.

Details of the lockdown may have changed, but we will still engage with those we see breaching social distancing rules.

We still get many reports of breaches, often about gatherings in people’s homes or parks.

There have been a number of reports of gatherings in Jubilee Park, but when our officers have been out they have found people observing social distancing. It has been busy, but people have mostly been abiding by the rules.

We have also increased patrols in Campsall Country Park and Warren House Park, Askern, after two pedestrians were hurt in an incident involving quad bikes. Two riders were charged in relation to that. It was an incident that cause a lot of distress in Askern.

Earlier this month we carried out a drugs raid at Marshlands Road, Moorends. A man was arrested for possession with intent to supply cannabis. A woman was also interviewed. The investigation continues.

The recent Hatfield Moor fire has also kept us busy. We were asked by the fire service to stop people going onto the moors. At one stage, smoke from the fire in Thorne was so thick it set off the fire alarms at our police station.