Passers-by saw him complete the crossing - starting from the Hylton Road bank near the Sabrina Bridge - before being driven off in a small silver family saloon, the same size as Renault Clio but with rear lights resembling a Fiat Punto.The man is believed by one passer-by to have made the swim in response to a bet/ challenge from the driver when the car was on the Hylton Road bank, before being driven across the main road to pick up the swimmer on the opposite side.
“Both men are believed to have been intoxicated and both have acted extremely irresponsibly, putting one of them at great personal risk in the cold water and dangerously strong under-currents and both of them and members of the public - as the driver’s judgment will almost certainly have been impaired,” said Ch. Insp. Sharon Gibbons, head of operational policing in South Worcestershire.
"Drunk, or sober, and at any time of day or night, the River Severn is never the place to go for an impromptu swim. We strongly urge anyone considering it not to do so and not to encourage, persuade, bully or challenge anyone else to do so. The consequences next time could well be tragic."
Officers want to speak to both men and urge them to come forward. Additionally, anyone who believes that they know them - the swimmer is believed to be white, aged around 20, 6ft-6ft 2ins tall, with dark hair and the driver also white, aged around 20 and with brown hair - should contact police on 0300 333 3000, quoting 50S/080610. Information can also be given, anonymously, to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The West Midlands Ambulance Service held the ceremony earlier this month to recognise the efforts of almost 200 volunteers, including community first responders, drivers and members of the British Red Cross and St John Ambulance. West Midlands Ambulance Service chief executive Anthony Marsh described the award winners as “the best in the West Midlands and the best in our country”.
