Bravery awards for Lerwick harbour rescue

Victoria Duthie, Ryan Leith and Maurice Henderson with their Royal Human Society awards for bravery. Photo: John Coutts.

A trio of local residents who helped to rescue a man from Lerwick Harbour have been honoured with bravery awards from the Royal Humane Society.

Port controller Ryan Leith received the Royal Humane Society’s Testimonial on Vellum, one of the society’s top awards, for jumping into the water. The accolade recognises risk taken by an individual in a rescue.

Meanwhile, local musician Maurice Henderson and police sergeant Victoria Duthie received certificates of commendation for their actions.

Society secretary Dick Wilkinson praised the group, saying: “Ryan Leith was undoubtedly the right person in the right place at the right time. Thankfully, although it was dark and conditions were not particularly good, he spotted what was happening and took immediate action.

“And, thanks to the efforts he, Victoria Duthie and Maurice Henderson put in, a life was saved. As it was, the three of them worked marvellously as a team. All three richly deserve the awards.”

Making the presentation on behalf of the humane society was port authority chairman Brian Anderson.

He said: “All three are to be congratulated on their quick thinking and actions in a risky situation. They are an example to all of us and well deserve the recognition.”

Water was cold and choppy when the incident occurred on 24th November at Alexandra Wharf where there is a 2.5 metre drop from the tyre fender-faced quay to water.

The Humane Society citation reads in part:

“Mr Leith had just started his night shift as a Port Controller when, around 11.30pm, he saw a woman on the edge of Alexandra Wharf about 120 metres away and a man’s head appear above the edge, then disappear. Alerting Police and Coastguard, he ran to the site. The man and woman were distressed and holding onto tyres.

“With Temporary Sergeant Duthie in attendance and speaking to the man, Mr Leith called the Coastguard to send a lifeboat, (later cancelled), then collected life-saving kit, including a life ring. He lowered it to the man, now in the water, while the woman had climbed back onto the jetty.

“Having been persuaded to grab the ring and being pulled towards a ladder by Mr Leith, the man dropped the ring and grabbed the tyres, but became unresponsive. Passing motorist, Mr Henderson was flagged down. Mr Leith jumped into the water to support the man while Mr Henderson towed them to the ladder. All three rescuers then helped the man up to the quay from where he was taken by ambulance to hospital and later discharged. After going home for a shower, Mr Leith returned to duty at 1.15am.”