FOUR rescue heroes who saved a pick-up truck driver after his vehicle careered out of control and plunged into the River Tees are to receive bravery honours.

The accident happened at 4.30pm on March 3 when a pick-up truck with a trailer ran out of control on the A66 at Middlesbrough.

As the driver battled to bring the vehicle under control it left the road and plunged into the river.

The truck became fully submerged and its unconscious driver was thrown into the water on the far side.

Luckily, the accident was witnessed by an off-duty policeman, PC Neil Bennett, and two passers-by Edwin Deane and David Charlton.

The trio used a ladder from the truck to make a bridge across the river to reach the stricken driver.

They were joined by another policeman Justin Moffitt who went back into the river to check whether there was anyone trapped in the truck.

He dived repeatedly, risking his life to ensure no one else was trapped inside the submerged truck.

The driver was taken to hospital with several broken bones and a serious head injury.

North Yorkshire officer PC Bennett, PC Moffitt, from the Cleveland force, Mr Deane, a bricklayer, of Lingfield Ash, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, and Mr Charlton, of Willow Walk, Shildon, County Durham, have all been awarded Royal Humane Society testimonials.

In recognition of his outstanding bravery PC Moffitt has been awarded a testimonial on vellum personally signed and approved by the society's president Princess Alexandra.

The four rescue heroes won the personal praise of Major General Christopher Tyler, Secretary of the Royal Humane Society.

Speaking at the society's London headquarters, he said: "These four men put their own lives on the line to save this truck driver.

"They were all at risk of being swept away by the fast-flowing river.

"And PC Moffitt, after the original rescue, then went back into the water and risked his life a number of times by diving below the surface in a bid to find out if there was anyone else in the truck.

"They were true action heroes and all richly deserve the awards that have been made to them."

No date has yet been fixed for presentation of the awards, which have been made on the recommendation of the Chief Constable of Cleveland Police, but it is expected to take place in the near future.

* The Royal Humane Society was originally formed by a group of London doctors in 1774 and is the leading UK organisation responsible for honouring lifesavers and those who have been involved in heroic rescue incidents.