By Dave Lord

A HEROIC fire fighter who faced controversy after risking his own life to save a woman from drowning in the freezing waters of the River Tay is to receive a top bravery award.

Tam Brown saved the 20-year-old after she plunged into the river from the Queen’s Bridge in Perth five months ago.

Without any thought for his own safety, the 42-year-old leapt into the water and fought both the dangerously low temperature and ferocious currents before eventually pulling the helpless woman to safety.

Despite the bravery of his actions it was revealed Mr Brown had breached fire service rules which do not allow fire fighters to enter the water to rescue drowning victims.

There were suggestions he could face disciplinary action but—following an investigation into the incident—his bosses in-sisted he would not be punished.

Mr Brown, of Stanley in Perthshire, is now set to receive one of the country’s most prestigious bravery awards—The Royal Humane Society’s testimonial on vellum.

Personally signed by Princess Alexandra, the award follows a recommendation from the Fire Brigades Union representative for Tayside, Jim Malone.

Mr Brown was treated for hypothermia following the dramatic rescue, details of which were outlined by a Royal Humane Society spokesman.

“The drama began in the River Tay at Queen’s Bridge at about 9pm,” he said.

“Mr Brown was one of a team called to the scene after an alert that a woman was in distress in the river.

“On arrival it was clear that she was in imminent danger and at risk from either drowning or the cold.

“As a result a rescue plan was urgently required,” the spokesman continued.

“As it was not possible to reach her by use of ropes and poles Mr Brown, notwithstanding formal working practices, volunteered to enter the river to save her life.”

Wearing a harness and life jacket with a line he swam to the woman before attaching the line to her.

“He began to swim some 20 metres back to the bank with the woman, keeping her head above the water, but as they approached the shore the line broke,” the spokesman continued.

“Although now at considerable risk from the current Mr Brown did not panic. “Notwithstanding the difficulties of the current, the cold he was suffering from being in the water for some eight minutes and the burden of the woman, he held on and swam to the shore and safety. Both he and the woman were subsequently treated for hypothermia.”

The spokesman said everyone at the Royal Humane Society had been impressed by Mr Brown’s “outstanding bravery”.

“There was a real risk that Mr Brown could have drowned as he fought to save the woman,” he remarked.

“He put his life on the line and richly deserves the award he is to receive.”

Mr Malone was delighted to hear that his recommendation had been acted upon.

“What Tam did was above and beyond the call of duty and I am delighted for him,” he told The Courier.

A modest Mr Brown said that, with the woman’s life at stake, he had been required to make an instant judgment.

“We had seconds to act,” he remarked.

“The girl was losing consciousness. We had one harness so I put that on and went down 20 feet on a safety line, grabbed her and held her up out of the water. My colleagues tried to pull us toward the steps but the current was so bad and the rope was pulling so hard it snapped.”

No date has been scheduled for official presentation of the award although it is expected to take place in the near future.