By Brian Smith

A DUNDEE social worker, who was the first on the scene in a life-and-death struggle to save a Glenrothes school boy after he plunged 60 feet on his bike on to a rocky ledge by the River Garry, has been awarded one of the country’s top life-saving honours by royal approval.

Stephan Derkacz (47), of St Dennis Place, has been awarded a Royal Humane Society testimonial on vellum personally signed and approved by Princess Alexandra, president of the society.

Two Tayside police officers, Sergeant Campbell Crozier and PC Kerry MacLeod, who navigated a boat to reach the boy, have also been awarded Humane Society Certificates of Commendation.

Mr Derkacz, who swam 60 feet across the swirling river and then stayed for two hours with the injured boy, Gareth Hope (14), Glentress Gardens, along with the two police officers also won the praise of Major General David Pennefather, secretary of the Humane Society.

Speaking at the society’s London headquarters yesterday, he said, “Mr Derkacz showed tremendous courage and daring to reach Gareth on this rocky ledge, and prevent him falling further into the river below.

“And the police officers, too, had to overcome numerous difficulties to reach them. Without their efforts, young Gareth might not have survived.

“They all richly deserve the awards that have been made to them.”

The horror drama began at just after 5 o’clock on the afternoon of April 9, when Gareth was cycling along a path running adjacent to the River Garry at Killiecrankie.

Mr Derkacz, who was walking with his wife Debbie and friends on the opposite bank, heard screams and saw Gareth lying injured on the ledge.

Fearing that he would roll off the ledge and into the river, Mr Derkacz entered the water while a friend contacted the emergency services. He then swam across the river and climbed up to the ledge.

He remained on the ledge with Gareth for some two hours while a complex rescue was set in motion. Fire and ambulance crews abseiled down the steep embankment and Gareth was examined by paramedics.

He had sustained injuries to his left shoulder, slight head injuries and possible internal injuries, and had been unconscious for a short time.

Gareth had been playing on his mountain bike with his brother on a path on the banks of the River Garry when he fell and tumbled down to rest on a rock ledge beneath Garry Bridge.

While on the ledge, Rangers fan Mr Derkacz discovered the distressed teenager was a Celtic fan and kept him conscious with Old Firm banter.

After the rescue, Mr Derkacz said, “He was lying on the ledge and was becoming more and more distressed, so, after assessing the risks of the current and things, I decided to wade in and swim across to him.

“It was quite deep and freezing cold. When I got to him I just asked him what team he supported and he said Celtic and, as I am an avid Rangers fan, I joked that if I had known he had supported Celtic I wouldn’t have come across!

“I just kept speaking to him until the paramedics arrived and we had a bit of banter about the football and he told me he liked rugby as well and where he was from and things.

He was in quite a lot of pain so we spoke about anything to take his mind off it.”

Because of his injuries, it was decided to move him first by boat and then air ambulance. However, no suitable boat could be found nearby so a police launch was brought from Perth.

The two officers launched the boat about two kilometres downstream. Because the river was so shallow at one point, they had to get out of the boat and drag it, with some difficulty, around 100 metres.

After that they had to navigate a difficult narrow stretch where the river was fast flowing. When they arrived, Gareth, who was by then strapped to a spinal board, was lifted into the boat and taken downstream to where the air ambulance had landed. He was then flown to hospital.

While praising the rescuers, Maj Gen Pennefather also appealed yesterday for information from the public about people who have put their lives at risk to save others or who have carried out a successful resuscitation.

“We are always keen to have rescue and life-saving incidents brought to our attention,” he said.

“We consider there are probably many such incidents which merit awards, but which are never brought to our notice.”

No date has yet been fixed for presentation in this case, which has been made on the recommendation of the Chief Constable of Tayside Police, but it is expected to take place in the near future.