Police In Separate Dramatic Rescues

The PSNI helicopter was deployed at the weekend in a life-saving incident on the River Bann.

Air Support officers carried out the operation on the evening of Saturday 6 August between Portglenone and Newferry after a man fell off a chartered boat at approximately 10.55pm.

They tasked two helicopters which located the man - who is in his 20s - on the shore shortly after and, after landing, administered first aid at the scene and then assisted the casualty over difficult terrain to the helicopter and from there took him onwards to a local hospital for treatment.

The man was treated at hospital and is now believed to have returned to his home.

Bann Search and Rescue were also tasked and the PSNI has said they would like to offer their thanks to them for their assistance with this incident.

Meanwhile, the matter has been reported to Health & Safety Executive NI for further investigation.

In another death-defying incident at the weekend, the police received a call from NI Fire & Rescue Service reporting a house on fire in the Carnreagh area of Portadown at approximately 9pm on Saturday.

Police attended quickly and were first on the scene where a 37-year-old man was trapped on the first floor of the blazing house. Neighbours provided a ladder to the officers who were then able to rescue the trapped man who was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but didn't need hospital treatment at the time.

Later the PSNI said they are not treating the fire as suspicious.

There was no one else in the house at the time and the man was alerted to the fire by two smoke alarms in the property.

Speaking from the scene, Fire Service Station Commander Aidan Jennings said that having a working smoking alarm was crucial in saving the man.

"There were two smoke detectors fitted in the property. They did activate and made the young man aware of the fire," he said.

"Unfortunately, the doors were not closed so the smoke travelled through the house and as a result of that he had to make an escape through a first floor window because the property was so heavily smoke logged.

"Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service would ask all home owners to check smoke alarms on a weekly basis to ensure they work and close doors before going to bed at night to prevent smoke travelling," he said.

(BMcC/GK)