A STUDENT at the University of York who jumped into a fast-flowing river in a bid to rescue a drowning woman has been hailed a Good Samaritan at an awards ceremony honouring his bravery.

Michael Perkins, together with a friend and a retired police officer, were awarded commendations from the St John Ambulance service and the Royal Humane Society for their heroic actions on July 27 last year.

Mike Barton, deputy chief constable of Durham, praised the trio for “not walking on the other side of the road” when he presented them with bravery awards.

Michael, 20, his friend, Peter Lawley, 21, and John Davies, 73, desperately tried to save Hayley Brown after she plunged into the River Wear from Prebends Bridge, in Durham city.

Michael was enjoying a picnic in the shadow of Durham Cathedral when the drama unfolded. He heard a splash and turned round to see a woman struggling in the River Wear beside them. Mr Davies, a retired policeman and former lifeguard, who was walking along the riverbank with his wife, stripped to his underwear and dived in from one bank, while Michael did the same from the other.

“The water was deep – more than 10ft, very cold and there was a strong current,” said Michael, an environmental geography undergraduate at the University of York’s Derwent College.

“There was also a lot of branches and debris in the river. We were struggling through the water, but we got her over the logs, and as we got her out the police arrived.”

Peter called 999 from his mobile phone as the woman was pulled from the water.

Michael said: “I tried to revive the woman, but there was very little response.”

She was taken to hospital but died several days later.

Detective Constable Damian Burns, of Durham Police, described the men’s actions as “outstanding”.