Staff at a riverside pub in Washington have been hailed as heroes after saving the life of a man who got into trouble in the River Wear. The incident took place last month when chef Tyler Wemyss spotted the man in distress as he was heading home from work at the Fiume restaurant at the River Bar in Fatfield.
Tyler, along with customer Matthew Cadas and the pub’s door supervisor Kieron Hughes, used a throw-line that had been installed at the bar as part of the Waterside Responder Scheme to bring the man safely back to the river bank. The staff had previously received vital training from the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and the RNLI on how to deploy the throw-line.
Firefighters, police, and paramedics arrived at the scene shortly afterward and found the man unharmed. Tyler recounted the incident, saying, I heard a woman crying on the other side of the road, and this was quickly followed by a male voice screaming for help. Without hesitation, I ran over to the lady and asked, ‘Has somebody fallen into the river?’
The quick-thinking staff members acted swiftly, retrieving the throw-bag from behind the bar and using it to rescue the man. Matthew, who had previously worked as a bar supervisor at the venue, joined forces with Kieron to locate the distressed man using their mobile phone torches before deploying the throw-bag.
The Waterside Responder Scheme, which trains waterside businesses in water safety protocols and techniques, played a crucial role in the successful rescue. It has already saved eight lives in the North East region. The recent incident occurred just weeks before World Drowning Prevention Day, which aims to raise awareness about water safety and the risks associated with open water.
Steve Thomas, Head of Prevention and Education at TWFRS, commended the staff’s actions and emphasized the importance of the Waterside Responder Scheme in saving lives. He praised their commitment and thanked them for their efforts during the rescue.
Nick Ayers, RNLI Water Safety Lead for the North and East, underscored the collaboration between the RNLI and the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, which has been driving the Waterside Responder program since 2017. The program includes training on rescue techniques, emergency contact information, and promoting preventive measures.
This incident marks the second successful throw-bag rescue in Tyne and Wear in recent weeks, highlighting the effectiveness of the Waterside Responder Scheme. The scheme continues to provide essential training to staff at businesses located by the water, equipping them with the skills necessary to save lives.
The efforts of the pub staff in rescuing the man from the River Wear demonstrate the importance of quick thinking and accessible safety equipment. The incident serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers posed by open water and the crucial role that proper training and equipment can play in preventing tragedies.
Overall, this rescue highlights the success of the Waterside Responder Scheme and the contributions of dedicated pub staff who acted swiftly to save a life. Their actions underscore the value of water safety training and equipment in ensuring the well-being of individuals near bodies of water.
