TWO police community support officers have been hailed as heroes after plunging into a pond at Easebourne to rescue an elderly couple who were in danger of drowning.

The elderly man and woman, in their 80s and from Hindhead, were in a Vauxhall Corsa when it accidentally accelerated into Benbow Pond, east of Midhurst on the A272, just after 3pm, on October 20. The car rolled over and slowly began to sink into deep mud.

Support officers Richard Boston and Heidi Hay were first on the scene and with the driver unconscious and his companion holding his head above the rising water level, they went into the pond and tried to smash the rear window.

Mr Boston broke through using a garden spade. They released the woman’s seat belt and with the help of a member of the public, got her safely on to the bank.

Fire crews from Haslemere and Midhurst were called and helped lift the man away from the car – neither occupants were seriously injured. Both community support officers dried out back at the police station and were back on duty the following morning.

Inspector Kris Ottery said: "There is no doubt in my mind Richard and Heidi’s quick-thinking and actions undoubtedly saved lives.

“While the water in the pond is relatively shallow, the mud is very deep and the car was slowly sinking, presenting an imminent danger of the trapped couple becoming immersed.

"We are very proud of what they did and happy to hear the couple are recovering from their alarming ordeal.”