TWO Aberystwyth police officers who ran into the sea in near complete darkness two and a half years ago to save the life of a woman in mental health crisis have been nominated for a national hero award.

PC Ian Chattun and Sgt Katy Evans risked their own safety when they responded to a call that a woman was threatening to harm herself at 2.30am on Sunday, 18 August 2019.

The officers found the woman, who had a recent history of self-harm, in the North Beach area of Aberystwyth.

She had been submerged in the sea but had been pulled from the water by her friends and was sitting on the breakwater.

The officers attempted to talk to her to calm her down but she became distressed and ran back into the sea.

The woman began to struggle as she got deeper into the water and the officers thought her life was in immediate danger.

They entered the water in full uniform, including PPE and body armour, but she was swept further out to sea.

In their attempts to rescue her the officers were submerged in the water.

Sgt Evans activated her emergency button to summon further units.

Her attempts to ask for assistance were compounded by the waves breaking over her head as she tried to update her situation.

PC Chattun swam to help the woman and with Sgt Evans and two of the woman’s friends, brought her back to shore.

Paramedics attended the scene and took the woman to hospital.

The pair have been nominated for their actions that day for a St David Award, Wales’ national awards to recognise every day heroes.

Pc Chattun and Sgt Evans have already been honoured by Dyfed-Powys Police for their actions that day, with both handed the force’s Bravery Award in 2020 for showing “extraordinary and selfless bravery in making the split-second decision to enter the water”.

The pair were nominated for the Dyfed-Powys award by Sgt David Hawksworth who said “there is no doubt that if they had they not reacted instantly - placing themselves at serious risk of drowning - then this young woman would have been lost in the darkness and swept out to sea”.

They also won an award at a delayed national Police Bravery Awards in 2021.

The St David Awards, which will celebrate their ninth year in 2022, recognise the extraordinary achievements of people from across Wales.

This year’s awards will be given to people and companies in nine different categories, recognising Bravery, Community Spirit to Innovation, Science and Technology.

The First Minister of Wales will also give his special award.

Announcing the finalists, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Our finalists are astonishing people and we are very fortunate they call Wales home.”

The winners will be announced in a ceremony on 7 April.