A police sergeant is being praised for his bravery after rescuing two boys from a flooded river in central west New South Wales.
The two 11-year-old boys jumped into the Lachlan river, near Condoblin, yesterday afternoon and were swept about 60 metres away by the fast-moving current.
The boys managed to grab hold of a rope attached to an exposed log in the middle of the river and called out for help to some nearby campers at the local caravan park.
Emergency workers received a call for help at 3.45pm and officers from the Central West Police District attended, along with members of the SES and Rural Fire Service.
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SES Condoblin Unit Commander Susan Bennett said police and SES arrived on the scene in less than four minutes.
"When we arrived we found two young boys hanging on a rope in the middle of fast flowing water," she said.
When they arrived, the boys yelled out that they could not hold on any longer.
Armed with a life jacket and a flotation device, Sergeant Joel Hunter swam out to the children and brought both boys back to the riverbank.
Chief Inspector Peter Atkins, the Officer in Charge of Orange Police Station said that he would commend Sergeant Hunter for a bravery award.
"The heroic efforts of Sergeant Hunter in rescuing these two boys in a fast-moving flooded river should be commended," Chief Inspector Atkins said.
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"If not for the quick-thinking and courageous response from our police, the outcome could have been tragic for the families of these two boys," Chief Inspector Atkins said.
"It serves as a timely reminder coming into summer, that people should avoid swimming in flood-affected rivers, as conditions are unpredictable, changeable and often dangerous, Chief Inspector Atkins said.
