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A hero police officer has spoken of the moment he jumped into a freezing cold river to save a man’s life.

PC Mohammed Nadeem leapt into the River Irwell after a man he was trying to help fell in, close to Hardys Gate Bridge in Bury, on Saturday afternoon.

Despite not being a strong swimmer, the officer made a split-second decision to go in after the man, fearing he might otherwise drown.

He didn’t have time to take off his heavy police gear and was forced to battle against a strong current in freezing temperatures, but incredibly managed to pull the man to safety.

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The man was checked out by paramedics, but escaped his ordeal unharmed.

PC Nadeem, who only joined the force nine months ago, said saving a person’s life was the ‘greatest feeling he could have’ in his job.

He has also been praised by his colleagues for his selfless actions

PC Nadeem, 32, who is based at Bury station and lives in Rochdale, said: “I saw the male next to the river bank talking on his phone.

“I tried to engage with him and find out his name and move him away from the river bank to a place of safety.

“Unfortunately this male he went into the water. I ran down to the river bank and could see him drowning.

“I thought this person might not survive, so I jumped into the water to save him.”

Describing the moment he went into the water, PC Nadeem added: “I was in shock. I didn’t know how deep the water was.

“I didn’t know what sort of health condition this man had or if he could swim.

“At that moment in time I was just thinking the worst.

“As soon as I got in it was head deep and freezing cold. Having my body gear on, weighing a lot extra, it pulled me down.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

“Somehow I managed to get to him and bring him to a place of safety. I wouldn’t say I’m a good swimmer, especially in deep flowing water.

“Saving him is the best feeling in the job. We are there to protect people, to save people.

“I always wanted to help people - to be there for people. To fight crime and prevent crime.

“Saving someone’s life is the best thing you can ever do on duty.

“In a way it will stick with me for the rest of my life.”