Teenager saves paraglider from drowning in River Thames near Marlow

A 16-year-old volunteer rescuer has saved a paraglider from drowning after the pilot crashed into the River Thames near Marlow, Buckinghamshire, the BBC reported.

Harry Hermon, a volunteer at charity Swan Support, was driving a boat to Henley on Monday evening at about 20:50 BST when he heard engine noise above him at Temple Lock. According to the BBC, he watched as one of a group of paragliders hit a telephone line and dropped into the lock about 80 feet ahead of him.

The teenager ran to the scene, alerting the lock keeper, and the pair worked to stop the pilot being pulled underwater by his equipment. Harry pulled the paraglider strings to lift the man's head above water while the lock keeper used a metal bar to support the weight of the equipment. Harry then climbed down into the water to try to free the man from the heavy gear dragging him under.

Together, they held the man until Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service arrived and got him safely to the bank. He was conscious and breathing and was left in the care of the ambulance service.

Harry downplayed suggestions he was a hero, telling the BBC: "I got a bit of an adrenaline buzz at first, but that was it."