The Times Online - May 06 2005 - By David Lister
Police must shun river hero over safety rule
A MAN who has saved more than 1,500 people from drowning was told yesterday that police can no longer work with him because he is in breach of health and safety regulations.
George Parsonage, 61, who has plied the River Clyde in Glasgow for nearly 50 years, was presented with a special lifetime achievement award by Princess Alexandra yesterday.
But, even as he collected the silver medal, the future of his rescue missions was thrown into doubt by a decision by Strathclyde Police to cease all contact with him.
For most of its 215-year existence, the lifeboat team at Glasgow Humane Society has worked closely with police, but officers have now been instructed not to page Mr Parsonage, because he is the only member of his rescue operation.
Mr Parsonage insisted yesterday that he would still rescue people from the water, but questioned the "practicalities" of Strathclyde Police's decision. "The police won't call me. But, if a member of the public calls and there's someone out in the river, I'll be out there.
If I see someone, I'll go." He added: "It's going to be very, very difficult. The people of Glasgow are used to a service. You must look at health and safety, but I question some of the practicalities. Having said that, a one-man lifeboat should not be around in the 21st century."
The decision by Strathclyde Police threatens to bring an end to the role of the Glasgow Humane Society, which is reputedly the world's oldest practical life-saving body.
It was established with a £200 donation from James Coulter, an 18th-century Glasgow merchant who felt moved to start a lifeboat service to rescue drowning men, women and children and recover bodies from the city's rivers.
For its first 60 years the society relied on volunteers to carry out its work, but it has employed a full-time officer and lifeboatman since 1859.
Mr Parsonage, who was 14 when he first rescued somebody from the river, is only the fourth officer, and is the second to inherit the job from his father.
Ben Parsonage took over the role in 1931 and continued to work until his death in 1979. Strathclyde Police said that it had taken its decision not to give the society rescue work for health and safety reasons, after learning last month that Mr Parsonage's assistant had left.
It added that, should the society appoint a suitable assistant to Mr Parsonage, the force would review its position.
Until then, Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service are to provide water rescue and recovery services in Glasgow.
Mr Parsonage said that he would not be defeated by the decision. "It doesn't stop. It just happens to be a hiccup at the moment. I could find an assistant tomorrow," he said.
Even though he now has a choice of 18 boats, including a motorcraft, Mr Parsonage still prefers a traditional rowing boat. "I have seen a lot," he said. "I have given a father the body of his son. You don't forget that." "But you also don't forget taking an old man out of the river with a 6in tattoo on his arm with the numbers from the Belsen concentration camp."
After receiving the Royal Humane Society award in London, he said that he felt humbled.
Princess Alexandra is the society's president. "What he has done is unique," a spokeswoman said.
Over the years he has saved or helped to save more than 1,500 people from the river, so he is a very special person."
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