A Niagara Regional Police Officer has been awarded the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery.
Constable Chris Lindey received the award at a ceremony at Queens Park yesterday.
On February 22nd 2016, a woman fell through the ice along the Welland Canal.
The incident took place along the west bank of the shipping canal approximately one kilometer south of Forkes Road in Dain City, an area often used by people walking their dogs and exercising along a gravel seaway authority access road.
Police officers arrived on scene and ran a rope throw bag over a kilometre before coming to the aid of a civilian rescuver and the woman in the water. Prolonged exposure to the cold water made the woman unable to grip onto anything.
Constable Lindey shed his equipment to slide along the ice surface to secure a rescue rope around the wrist of the woman.
When they tried to rescue the woman, the ice beneath Constable Lindey broke and he fell into the water.
He was then able to secure a rope around the woman, and pushed from in the water while others pulled her to safety.
The woman and Constable Lindey were transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of hypothermia.