A former Selby firefighter who weighed himself down with a boulder to rescue a young girl trapped at the bottom of a water-filled quarry is to receive a Queen's Commendation for Bravery.

Andrew Weatherill, 35, risked his own life when he dived underwater wearing breathing apparatus designed for smoke-logged buildings to pull seven-year-old Cherrie Greenwood from the Blue Lagoon at Womersley in August 1997.

He is believed to be the first North Yorkshire firefighter to be awarded the commendation.

Cherrie was trapped in her mother's submerged VW Golf car after it rolled backwards into the former limestone quarry, which attracts thousands of water sport enthusiasts every summer.

Andrew - who was called Jakeman at the time of the incident but has since changed his name to Weatherill for personal family reasons - performed a super-human feat of strength and bravery to try to save the girl.

Carrying a limestone boulder under one arm to weigh him down so he could walk along the bottom of the lagoon, and a winch cable in his other hand, Andrew eventually bumped into the VW Golf, which was upside down on its roof.

Visibility in the murky water was down to 12 inches as he pulled the unconscious Cherrie from the car and brought her to the surface.

Despite his efforts, Cherrie died three days later in Leeds General Infirmary.

Now Andrew has received a letter from the Home Office, telling him he is to be awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery.

Andrew, who is now stationed at Acomb and lives near Pocklington, said today: "I'm very proud to accept this award, which also recognises the efforts of the whole crew.

"Everybody did their best for Cherrie and more, but sadly she didn't make it.

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