Officer braves cold to rescue elderly boatie

Constable Warwick Stainton shortly after the rescue.

A North Shore constable has been nicknamed "The Waterboy" by his colleagues after he rescued an elderly man from chilly waters yesterday afternoon.

The man was rowing out to his launch in strong wind and rain when he was tossed from his dinghy at Beach Haven, said North Shore area commander Inspector Les Paterson.

It is understood the man, who is believed to be in his late 60s, removed his clothing and tried to swim to shore. He was unable to do so.

Tired and cold, he clung to the side of his boat, which was about 100m from the shore. He was not wearing a lifejacket.

"The water was extremely cold and he quickly weakened," said Mr Paterson.

Back on shore, two members of the public saw what was happening and called 111, prompting staff at the northern communications centre to send police to the rescue - both by land and sea.

The police Eagle helicopter co-ordinated the rescue from the air.

Mr Paterson said Constable Warwick Stainton was one of the first officers to arrive at the beach.

He realised the man was exhausted and starting to slip away from the boat.

"Even though the police rescue launch was only about three minutes away, time had run out so the officer dived in and swam to the rescue.

"He only had time to remove his shoes, handcuffs and baton before diving in and swimming out to save him. He tried to bring the man ashore but conditions were very difficult so he waited for the launch to arrive and uplift them both."

On shore the man told officers it felt as though he had been in the water for days.

He was treated for hypothermia before being taken to North Shore Hospital for observation.

A wet and cold Mr Stainton returned to the police station - where he was given his new nickname - for a warm shower before finishing his shift.

Mr Paterson was last night full of praise for the young constable, who had "shrugged off suggestions of bravery and said his response was instinctive".

"Constable Stainton is a very humble officer and downplayed his role but I am immensely proud of him."