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The bravery of two Blenheim police officers who dived into an icy river to save a drowning kayaker last year has been recognised.
Constables Tony Burdon and Matthew Elliott received commendations from the Royal Humane Society at a ceremony yesterday. The pair freed the kayaker, who was trapped by his feet after his craft hit submerged rocks in the Wairau River last July.
Twice the kayaker slipped from their grasp and twice one of the men dived to rescue him. Together they brought him to shore.
