Warrington bobby dies a hero as he saves child on Australian holiday (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington bobby dies a hero as he saves child on Australian holiday

A HEROIC Warrington police officer was killed while holidaying in Australia when he attempted to save children being swept out to sea.

PC Jonny Speakman, aged 33, was killed on Saturday, in the fifth week of a trip to Australia. He had been visiting a beach known as Spoon Bay, north of Sydney, with friends.

PC Speakman was attached to Warrington's CID team. He and a friend were in the sea, along with five children, when it is believed a rip tide swept the adults and three of the children out to sea.

The rescue services were alerted, but eyewitnesses reported seeing PC Speakman rescuing one of the children by placing him on his body board and setting him towards the shore on a wave, before the emergency services arrived. Australian Sea Rescue, using boats and a helicopter, recovered PC Speakman's body from the sea.

The other adult in the water was taken to hospital, where he received treatment and is now recovering.

The children were not injured, but were extremely shocked. A coroner's inquiry will now take place.

A Warrington police spokesman said: "Jonny died a hero, but his death has shocked colleagues who are grieving the loss of a fine officer with much to offer the police service and the community of Cheshire."

PC Speakman was married to Jenny and lived in Hoole, Chester.