A GROUP of hero schoolboys who rescued a mum and baby from a canal's freezing water have received police commendations for their quick thinking and brave actions.

The boys – 15-year-old Tyler Moses, 14-year-olds Ethan Melvin, Joe Draycott and Campbell Law, 12-year-old Ellis Hulme, 11-year-old McCauley Maguire and 10-year-old Jacob Potter – were in the football Court at Spike Island nature reserve in Widnes on Saturday December 7 minutes as the drama unfolded.

The 39-year-old woman had entered the St Helens Canal after the pram her four-month-old baby girl was in had rolled into the water whilst she was feeding the ducks with her four-year-old daughter at Spike Island.

After being informed of the incident by the four-year-old, the boys - who attend Peter & Paul Catholic College in Widnes - ran over to the canal and helped to get the woman and the baby out of the water.

They then called for an ambulance and assisted the woman in keeping the baby warm as they waited for paramedics to arrive.

They had been approached by the four-year-old young girl who was in distress, shouting 'hey' and crying.

They went to her aid, asking what was wrong.

After walking with the little girl for a few moments Ethan spotted the pram, not really thinking anything at first but then to the right was the woman, in the water, holding onto the side.

The boys ran over and noticed she was holding a young baby with her free arm, Ethan took the baby, Joe and Campbell got the mum out and then assisted once all were okay to retrieve the pram.

Joe phoned for an ambulance and Campbell gave the address.

The boys stayed and assisted offering coats and jackets to wrap the baby as she was soaked through and until the ambulance arrived.

Ethan told the paramedics what had happened and they were taken to hospital as a precaution.

However, although she can swim the mum, called Lifei began to struggle after trying to save baby Eva and being weighed down by her clothing.

The woman had entered the St Helens Canal after the pram her baby was in had rolled into the water whilst she was feeding the ducks with her children at Spike Island.

Six of the boys received a Chief Inspector's Commendation ‘for displaying bravery and community spirit in helping to rescue a woman and her baby from a canal' during a presentation ceremony at Widnes Police Station on Monday.

Members of their families attended, as did Lifei and baby Eva.

Chief Inspector Catherine Pritchard, of Widnes Local Policing Unit, said: "The quick thinking, bravery and community spirit of the boys impressed everyone at Widnes Police Station.

"They helped to prevent this incident from becoming far more serious.

"As such we decided that all seven boys are worthy of special commendations in recognition of their heroic actions."

Ethan's proud mother Susan told Runcorn & Widnes World recently: "They overheard that the older girl was three and the baby is four months.

"What's more how amazing that the little girl was clever enough to seek help and thankfully our boys were there.

"The boys believe there should be a barrier alongside the canal to prevent things like this happening so easily.

"They are so happy to hear that the family are fine, they have all been worried sick, along with ourselves.

"All three families, are immensely proud of what they did, they acted selflessly and got the best outcome with their quick thinking and bravery, all three deserve a medal and a few treats too."