Local heroes who saved family honoured for bravery in Nuneaton water rescue 

Neil spotted the vehicle upside down and partially submerged in a lake.

The award recognises their extraordinary bravery and decisive actions, which saved the lives of one adult and two young children from a submerged vehicle in Nuneaton on 5 March 2025. 

Neil and Steve, who were driving between jobs, were flagged down by a concerned member of the public.

Neil immediately went to investigate and spotted the vehicle upside down and partially submerged in a lake.

He rescued the youngest child first, a baby, and he passed the baby to Steve, who was on the riverbank. Neil then rescued the second child from the rear passenger seat. Steve had quickly organised a human chain with two other passersby who had stopped to help, passing the child along to get them to safety. 

With both children safe, Neil returned to the car to help the adult driver. He managed to pull the driver free and help them to the bank.  

Chief Fire Officer Ben Brook of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service praised their life-saving efforts. “WFRS would like to thank Steve and Neil for their courageous actions after coming across a car on its roof and submerged in water. Their quick thinking and decisive actions, helping one adult and two young children to get out of the vehicle, has saved lives. It was a privilege to meet Steve and Neil in person and to present them with their well-deserved Chief Fire Officer’s commendations.”