PASSERSBY have been praised after pulling together to rescue a man who fell into the River Weaver in Northwich.

Chris Lavallee was one of several people who helped save a man’s life after he fell into the water near the town centre off Castle Street on Wednesday, June 8.

Chris, a former police officer, said: “Had these people not responded when they did, the man would have died.”

North West Ambulance Service confirmed an ambulance was deployed to nearby Winnington Street.

An NWAS spokesperson said: “We were called at 6.13pm to reports a patient had been in the water but had been pulled out.

“We sent one ambulance to the scene and took a male patient in his 30s to hospital.”

Chris thanked the members of the public who sprang into action when they noticed the man had fallen into the water and was struggling.

Chris’ partner witnessed the incident and immediately phoned Chris for help, knowing he would be able to get to the scene quickly.

“I was in the barbers with my son getting his first hair cut,” Chris said.

“Something had happened, and the man had ended up in the water.

“His partner was laying down and holding him up.

“Myself, alongside a young man and an older couple, were able to pull him out of the water while two ladies from the canal boat moored nearby brought life preserving equipment and administered first aid.

“The male was epileptic and having a number of episodes both while being removed from the water and out of the water.

“He also stated he could not swim.

“An ambulance was called by the older couple.”

Chris said the collective efforts of those involved stopped the man drowning and he thanked everyone involved for their help.