By Alan Richardson

A PERTH firefighter who controversially saved a woman in a dramatic river rescue is in line for a major national award and his efforts are to be recreated for national television.

Tam Brown risked his own life to leap into the icy Tay to keep the woman afloat after she plunged from the Queen’s Bridge in March.

The 42-year-old’s actions prompted region-wide debate about the role of the service during river rescue incidents, with suggestions he could, technically, have been disciplined for entering the water.

He has since been commended for his bravery by Tayside’s Firemaster and been nominated for a prestigious Royal Humane Society testimonial on vellum.

The latest recognition is a nomination for The Pride of Britain Awards, which recognise extraordinary achievements of ordinary people.

As part of the scheme, Mr Brown’s actions will be re-created during a day’s filming by morning TV favourite, GMTV next week, to be screened later in the month.

It will show how Mr Brown, of Stanley, was part of a crew called to the bridge at around 9pm on March 6 after reports of a woman falling into the river below.

It was not possible to reach her with ropes or poles and, despite it being against regulations, Mr Brown leapt into the freezing water to attach a line to her.

As he was assisting her the 20 metres to the bank and safety however, the line snapped.

When announcing his award from the Royal Humane Society, a member explained, “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.

“There was a real risk that Mr Brown could have drowned as he fought to save the woman. He put his life on the line. He was later treated for hypothermia.

He said shortly after, “We had seconds to act. 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.”

In the wake of the incident, it was revealed Scottish Fire and Rescue Services official response to river rescue incidents was not clear-cut and much of the confusion has since been cleared up.

Firefighters are regularly seen undertaking training on the Tay at Perth.

The winners of the Pride of Britain Awards will be announced at a gala event hosted by TV personality Carol Vorderman next month.