Young lifesaver Connor receives bravery award

Aug 29 2008 by Caroline Boxer, Strathearn Herald

Young lifesaver Connor receives bravery award

A COMRIE boy who saved his wee sister from drowning has received a Royal Humane Society award. Connor Newlands (12) was honoured at a special awards ceremony at Perth Police headquarters on Monday, when he was presented with the society’s Testimonial on Parchment in recognition of his act of bravery in the summer of 2007.

Connor, his sisters Gemma (9) and Georgia (6), and dad, Dale, were out cycling along the banks of the River Lednock when Georgia’s bike threw its chain. Dad stopped to effect a repair, while Connor cycled on, Gemma close behind, until Gemma’s bike hit some large stones and she was careered across the path and over the edge of the riverbank. Gemma and her bike plummeted 20 feet onto the rocky riverbed, where she was trapped underwater with her bike pinning her down.

Realising his sister was no longer on his tail, Connor went to investigate. When he looked over the riverbank he immediately realised the danger Gemma was in and raced to her rescue. “She was upside down and could get no purchase with her feet, and her upper body was being held below the water by her bike,” said Mum, Joanne. “She was trapped and she was drowning.”

Connor plunged into the fast-flowing river to hold his trapped sister above water until help arrived.

“He didn’t think about his own safety,” said his proud mother at the time. “He just plunged down the banking into the water and tried to free Gemma from the bike.”

Connor could only hold the bike aside with one leg and reach into the water to raise his sister’s head above the surface. He couldn’t separate her from the bike and he couldn’t leave her submerged to try and pull it away.

“The next few minutes were frantic for everyone,” said Joanne. “Dale heard Connor and Gemma screaming for help and he rushed along the track but couldn’t see them.

“When he eventually pinpointed where the screams were coming from, Dale plunged into the river and helped Connor pull the bike free while keeping the little girl’s head above water until she could move again. Both children were then hauled back up the bank by their father to safety.

“We’re so proud of him,” said Joanne. “I don’t know what would have happened if Connor hadn’t got there in time. Dale didn’t know where she was and would never have found her before it was too late. Connor saved his sister’s life – it’s as simple as that.”

Several months after Connor's act of bravery, the family was attending a star-studded Sunday Mail awards ceremony, where Connor was one of 12 finalists shortlisted for the Great Scot Award. He lost out to the Glasgow Airport bombing heroes but Scottish athletics golden girl Liz McColgan determined the wee boy from Comrie should not go home empty-handed and presented her trophy for her work with Leukaemia Research to Connor.

The Dundee-born gold medallist told presenters awards should go to “real heroes” and, after reading Connor's story in the event's programme, promptly chose him to receive her award. Liz explained that she felt “honoured” to be given a Great Scot award but believed Connor deserved it more. Connor was thrilled at the gesture and couldn’t believe that Liz was passing on her trophy. “My Dad had told me what an amazing sportswoman she is,” he said. “She told me she loved my story and thought I deserved a trophy. That makes it extra special.”

Now Connor, who is in second year at Crieff High School, has his own extra special medal. The citation accompanying Connor’s award, presented by Chief Constable Kevin Mathieson and Tayside Joint Police Board Convener, Councillor Ian Mackintosh, states: “The Committee of the Royal Humane Society has deemed that Connor be awarded a Testimonial on Parchment for the courage and remarkable presence of mind he displayed in a terrifying situation.”

The whole family went to the presentation. Speaking afterward, Connor told the Herald: "It went very well. I couldn't stop fidgeting beforehand - I think I was a bit excited - but by the time I had to go up I wasn't nervous. You sort of got to know everyone from their stories, as they were all read out."

Dad, Dale, said: "It was fantastic. Connor's chuffed to bits. His award was huge - literally. Everyone was laughing when he held it up and it completely covered his face.

"The honour is greater because it comes from the police and because Connor was just one of a couple of ordinary members of the public among the awardees.

"The chief inspector asked if he could sign him up. Connor said it was funny he should mention it because he'd been thinking about the police or RAF."

Whatever he decides, we wish Connor all the best.