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Life-saver Nicky makes record books for rescue

31/10/2002

LOCAL hero Nicky Power is one of the country's youngest lifesavers - and that's official.

Nicky, aged seven, leapt into Blackleach Reservoir in May to save four-year-old neighbour Lochlan Heald from drowning.

Now his bravery is to be rewarded with a medal from the Royal Humane Society, making him one of the youngest ever to win the coveted medal.

The drama unfolded when Lochlan and his older brother Macaulay were playing with other children in Nicky's back garden in Blackleach Drive, Walkden.

Nicky's mum Nicola and his uncle Craig were in the kitchen but did not notice some of the children slip through a loose board in the fence and on to the reservoir land.

Little Lochlan fell in and went under and while Nicky's sister Jodie cried for help, Nicky dived straight in. Even though he was not strong enough to pick up Lochlan, Nicky put his arm under the three-year-old to hold him up until they were both rescued.

Nicky was recommended for the award by the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester. A date for presenting it has yet to be set.

Major General Christopher Tyler, secretary of the RHS, told The Advertiser on Wednesday: "Nicky's extraordinary presence of mind and bravery in a moment of crisis undoubtedly saved Lochlan's life. It is very rare for us to give the award to someone as young as seven, but Nicky full deserves his parchment."

The RHS is one of the oldest bravery associations in the UK, dating back to 1774. Young Nicky Power joins a role of honour which includes 84,000 other award winners over the centuries.