Four teenagers who tried to save a man who jumped into the sea at a north-east harbour will be handed national honours for their efforts.
Darren Paxton plunged into the icy water at Macduff on July 11 last year and Jordan Anderson, from Aberdeen, swam out to him with a lifebelt and towed him 50 metres to the shore to meet waiting paramedics.
Kyle Chapman, of Rothes, threw the lifebelt to his fellow army cadet to help bring the man to safety.
Katlyn and Shannon Wilson, both 15, from Macduff, used their cadets first aid training to look after the man’s partner, who was in shock.
Now the 15-year-olds will receive Royal Humane Society honours in recognition of their bravery.
Jordan Anderson will receive a testimonial on velum which has been personally approved by and will be signed by Princess Alexandra who is president of the society.
The other teenage cadets will be awarded with Certificates of Commendation.
The group have also been praised by Andrew Chapman, secretary of the Royal Humane Society.
He said: “Tragically the man died in hospital the day after the incident. But these youngsters ensured that he had the best possible chance of survival.
“They did a superb job between them in rescuing the man from the water and caring for his distraught partner. All four richly deserve the awards they are to receive. They are a credit to the younger generation.”
Speaking in the days after their rescue bid, Jordan said he did not consider himself a hero, despite the praise of the local commmunity.
He said: “I wasn’t really thinking at the time.
“I just saw him in trouble and jumped in.
“I don’t know what to think about people calling me a hero – it’s quite a surprise really.
“I just feel bad for this guy’s family having to suffer through this horrific event.”
And Kyle told how the youths jumped into action after watching the man jump into the water.
He said: “He was swimming fine, but then he started getting weak.
“He must have got a shock in the cold water and my mate thought he was drowning. He jumped in after him.
“He was about 16ft away from him but he hurt his foot – that’s when I grabbed the life ring and threw it in.”
The group were nominated for the awards by the army cadet force and will receive them at a later date.
