Teenager saves paraglider from drowning after crash

A 16-year-old boy has saved a paraglider from drowning after he crashed into the River Thames.

Harry Hermon, a volunteer rescuer at charity Swan Support, was driving a boat to Henley when he heard engine noise above him at Temple Lock, near Marlow, Buckinghamshire, on Monday at about 20:50 BST.

He saw a group of paragliders flying above and watched as one suddenly "hit the telephone line and dropped into the lock" about 80ft ahead of him.

The teenager ran to the scene, alerting the lock keeper, and the pair worked to stop the pilot being pulled underwater by the equipment he was attached to.

Harry pulled the paraglider strings to lift the man's head above water while the lock keeper used a metal bar to support the weight of the equipment.

The teenager climbed down into the water to try to free the man from the heavy gear that was dragging him under.

Together, they held the man until the arrival of Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, which got him him safely to the bank.

He was conscious and breathing and was left in the care of the ambulance service.

Harry downplayed suggestions he was a hero.

"I got a bit of an adrenaline buzz at first, but that was it," he said.

"I'm happy and that, but... I don't really think it's that massive a deal."

His Swan Support colleagues said: "Well done, Harry. Your courage, compassion and quick thinking undoubtedly made an incredible difference, and your actions are something everyone at Swan Support is immensely proud of."

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