Accepting a top bravery award will be a “bittersweet moment” for a Perthshire man involved in the ultimately futile rescue attempt of a canoeist from the River Tay last year.
Stephen Thomas is one of four men who risked their lives in a bid to pull Simon Fletcher from the water after his canoe capsized on the Grandtully rapids. The Great Britain under-21 internationalist, who was 19, died despite dozens of emergency service personnel battling to save him when he became trapped under rocks on the fast-flowing river.
Mr Thomas, a senior outdoor instructor with Aberfeldy activity company Freespirits, was one of the first into the river which was in full spate and two metres higher than normal when the alarm was raised. An attempt to launch rafts failed because of the speed of the water, so he tried to swim through the swift currents but was beaten back.
Working with local Scottish Canoe Association development coach Stephen MacDonald, he rigged up a pulley system to reach the rocks but he could not reach Mr Fletcher’s head to raise it from under the water. It was some 28 hours later, on April 8, that Mr Fletcher’s canoe was broken up and his body finally recovered.
After a recommendation by Tayside Police, Mr Thomas and Mr MacDonald will receive Royal Humane Society testimonials on vellum, personally signed and approved by society president Princess Alexandra, for their selfless actions.
Mr Thomas said, It is one of life’s bittersweet moments. A substantial contribution was made to the emergency services and that money will be utilised for resources to make the river as safe as possible for users in the future.”
The Royal Humane Society will also present certificates of commendation to outdoor rescue instructor Iain Murray from Nethy Bridge and Tayside Mountain Rescue’s Earle Wilson for their actions.Photo gallery: battle to save Grandtully caneoist.Society secretary Dick Wilkinson said, “Sadly their brave efforts failed but they did all that was humanly possible to save Simon Fletcher. They were true heroes.
“The rapids are popular with canoeists but on this occasion Simon, despite his skill as a canoeist, became pinned by a rock when the current caught the stern of his canoe. It flipped him round and as he attempted to negotiate his way out he was pulled under the water and jammed in position.
“Stephen MacDonald saw what happened and called Stephen Thomas to help launch two rafts crewed by the strongest paddlers. This failed, though, as the current made it impossible to control the rafts.
“Mr MacDonald then took ropes from bystanders and directed others to secure ropes on the bank to hold a raft. At the same time Mr Thomas attempted to swim to Simon but was beaten back by the current.
“The two men then rigged up a pulley system between the banks, enabling Mr Thomas to reach the rock where Simon was trapped. He reached down in an attempt to raise Simon’s head above the water but was only able to reach his leg. He was unable to free the canoe.
“Mr Murray, who is a swift water rescue expert and who was on his way home after a training day, then arrived and assisted setting up ropes. All three remained at the scene overnight but rescue efforts were halted overnight as it was clear that Simon could no longer be alive.
“Mr Wilson joined the rescue team and they worked all day to break up the canoe.”
No date has yet been set for presenting the awards.