TWO police community support officers have been hailed 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.

Community 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 to get into the vehicle.

Mr Boston broke through using a garden spade. They released the woman’s seatbelt 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 to the scene and helped the man onto dry land. The couple were not seriously injured.

Both officers were back on duty next day.

Inspector Kris Ottery, from Chichester police, said: "There is no doubt in my mind that Richard and Heidi’s quick thinking and actions 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 that the couple are recovering from their alarming ordeal.

“Unfortunately, Richard will be leaving us next month to become a police officer in Wiltshire - our loss, but certainly their gain!”