THE bravery of four men who attempted to save the life of a North-East canoeist who became trapped under a rock in a fast flowing river has been recognised.

Simon Fletcher, a member of the Tees Tigers Canoe Club, died in April last year as he attempted to negotiate the Grandtully rapids on the River Tay in Perthshire, Scotland.

Rescuers worked for more than 24 hours to free the 19-year-old, from Stockton, after he capsized and became trapped.

The four, Stephen Mac- Donald, a development coach with Scottish Canoe Association, Iain Murray, an outdoor rescue instructor with Adventure Scotland, Stephen Thomas, a senior outdoor instructor with Freespirits, and Earle Wilson, an outdoor instructor and member of Tayside Mountain Rescue, fought in vain to save the teenager’s life. Now Mr Macdonald and Mr Thomas are to receive Royal Humane Society testimonials signed and approved by the Society’s president, Princess Alexandra. Mr Murray and Mr Wilson will also receive certificates of commendation.

Announcing the awards, Dick Wilkinson, secretary of the society, said: “Sadly, their brave efforts failed.

But they did all that was humanely possible to save Simon Fletcher. They were true heroes.”

Describing what happened, Mr Wilkinson said: “The rapids are popular with canoeists, but on this occasion Simon, despite his skill as a canoeist, became pinned by a rock when the current caught the stern of his canoe.

“It flipped him round and as he attempted to negotiate his way out he was pulled under the water and jammed in position.”

Despite the best efforts of all involved they were unable to rescue him.

Mr Thomas added: “It is one of life’s bittersweet moments. This is the first time I’ve got anything like this and hopefully it will be the last.

“It’s good to be recognised for what we did, but that’s not the reason I did it – as a river person, instinct takes over. Unfortunately, we didn’t get him out in time.

“It’s something that I can’t put out my mind. As river people you always look back and reflect and try to work out a way to do things differently for a more successful outcome.”