A PRIVATE investigator hunting a wanted burglar ended up saving his quarry from drowning in the River Ouse.

Retired police officer turned private investigator David Hill ended up swimming out into the muddy waters of the Ouse at Clifton Bridge, York, to not only get his man, but to save his life as well.

Now Mr Hill, 50, of Lindisfarne Close, Hartlepool, has been awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Parchment following the dramatic incident at Water End on September 16 last year.

Dick Wilkinson, the society’s secretary, announced the awards yesterday.

He said Mr Hill had been hunting for the 65-year-old man, who was wanted for burglary, when he happened upon him in the street.

Mr Wilkinson said: “Mr Hill challenged him and requested a police officer and a van to attend. However, the man ran off on foot across a busy main road and towards the River Ouse at Clifton Bridge.

“Mr Hill followed, alone, and kept the man in sight. The man then leapt into the River Ouse, where he immediately began to struggle to keep his head above water. He was heard to shout out that he was unable to swim, and disappeared under water several times.

“Mr Hill, still alone, made use of a tree to move out over the river. However, he was unable to grab the man.

He then entered the water and swam to the man. He then dragged him to the bank where he alerted a passer-by to contact police.

“The man was arrested, but were it not for Mr Hill, he would surely have drowned.

“This is a dangerous stretch of water, with a bed like quicksand, yet Mr Hill risked his own life to apprehend this man. He thoroughly deserves this award.”

The man was later jailed for nine months, suspended for a year, and made the subject of a 12-month supervision order.