BACK in February 1979 a 15 year-old schoolboy was the front page hero of a daily newspaper for a rescue in the Teign estuary.
Simon Williams of Shaldon plunged into the raging waters to save a 45-year-old woman, but was extremely modest about it all.
Eye witnesses, however, praised his bravery in immediately going to help her, despite icy waters and huge waves crashing into the estuary.
Both he and the woman were swept upstream by the current and there was a danger they could have been pulled under, or taken further out into the estuary.
Paul Howard of Dawlish who was at the scene declared: ‘Simon acted magnificently. When he came out he was very cold and the woman was shaking more than I have seen anybody shake. She was suffering from the effects of the cold and seemed shocked. I do not think she could have lasted much longer in the water.
The woman, Mrs Joan Hodge, who is believed to come from Newton Abbot and lodges in Exeter, was watching the waves near the Ness Drive, Shaldon, when she was swept in.
Simon, with his two dogs, saw it happen and went to the rescue.
He had to swim out about 20 yards to reach her, who was floundering about but had managed take off her heavy fur coat.
Despite the dangerous conditions, Simon eventually managed to bring her ashore on Shaldon beach.
Mr Howard and John Heard, who works on the Shaldon ferry, carried Mrs Hodge to the home of a retired doctor.
She was given a hot drink before being taken by ambulance to Torbay Hospital suffering from exposure.
A strong swimmer, Simon said he knew the theory of lifesaving, but had never undergone any training.
‘When I saw her go in I ran down the steps where she had been standing, but she was swept up river, so I ran along the road next to the beach and went in after her there.
‘I did not not really stop to think, it was an automatic reaction to try and save her.
‘It was very cold and rough, and quite a struggle, but I managed to grab hold of her and pull her in.
‘I would do it again if I had to.’