A police inspector has given thanks to a “brave and selfless” Inverness man after he rescued a teenage girl from a river.
As he walked along the pier, he heard the sound of someone screaming and struggling.
Looking down, he realised that a girl who had been sitting on the side of the pier had entered the water and was now struggling to stay afloat in the mouth of the River Nairn.
After scrambling to find a life ring to throw for the girl, he then climbed down the pier’s ladder and managed to pull the girl to safety.
Acting inspector Steven Maclennan from Nairn police station has now reached out to Mr Goodwin to thank him for his heroic efforts.
In a letter, he said: “The officers at the scene described your actions as instrumental in assisting with a distressed female whereby you engaged the female in conversation and encouraged her to swim to the water’s edge, before climbing down and helping her from the river.
“You did all this despite the inherent and obvious risk to yourself due to the River Nairn undergoing a strong tidal surge at that time.
“If it wasn’t for your actions, there is no saying how this situation would have ended.
“I am sending this letter to pass on the appreciation of Police Scotland for what I can only describe as your brave and selfless actions that night.”
Local man Tommy Hogg heard the commotion and was full of praise for Mr Goodwin’s quick-thinking.
If it wasn’t for your actions, there is no saying how this situation would have ended.
Speaking to the Press and Journal after the rescue earlier this month, Mr Goodwin said: “I was just on auto-pilot. A fellow human being was suffering and in danger, I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t do something about it.
“I just hope she’s OK. I’d love to hear from her and I’m here to talk if she ever wants to get in touch.”
Police, a coastguard team and an ambulance arrived at the scene shortly after the girl was pulled from the water.
The teen was treated by paramedics at the scene and left in an ambulance.
Were you involved in this rescue or do you know anyone that was? Send an email to stuart.findlay@pressandjournal.co.uk.
