Teen recognised for saving woman's life in Cheshire
16-year-old Jacob Roberts jumped into a canal to rescue someone
Last updated 14th Feb 2023
A teenager who jumped into a canal to rescue a woman who had fallen in, has been given an award by Cheshire Fire Service.
Jacob Roberts, who was 16 at the time, spotted the Margaret Potter in trouble while he was walking near the canal in Middlewich, and came to her aid.
Jacob helped her float and get to the edge of the canal until the fire service got there.
Mrs Potter, from Manchester, had actually damaged her femur and is still on crutches now.
Chief Fire Officer Alex Waller presented a Chief Fire Officer's Commendation to Jacob Roberts last night, with the service saying he 'undoubtedly' saved her life.
At the presentation, Jacob told us: "I just looked down to see a boat, and a woman in the water. The woman on the boat was saying 'help'. I went in and did whatever I could to help her, just speaking to her and keeping her afloat.
"I feel really proud of myself, it was crazy being here and receiving the award."
The woman he saved, Margaret, said: "Jacob jumped in and he said 'I'm here, I'm here, I'm here', the next thing I knew somebody had thrown a life buoy in and then the Fire Brigade turned up. They got me out on a tarpaulin screaming my head off.
"Jacob was an absolute star"