A POLICE officer who trained with Commonwealth swimming champion David Davies plunged into freezing waters to rescue a woman.

Now PC Rhodri David, 22, from St Julian's Road, Newport, is to receive a national bravery award for saving the 30-year-old woman.

When he saw her struggling in the River Usk at Caerleon, PC David stripped off his police vest and jumped in, fighting against the strong current and pulling her out.

PC David, who was the Welsh under-16 200m butterfly champion, used to swim for Cardiff and train with the Welsh squad alongside this year's Commonwealth Games 1500m freestyle gold-medallist David Davies.

He quit competitive swimming when he went to university aged 18 because of time constraints.

He said of the rescue: "I thought I had to get in there and save her, otherwise she'll die from shock or drown."

The Gwent officer has now been chosen for an award by The Royal Humane Society, a charity which rewards those who have saved lives.

Earlier on the evening of the rescue, on November 4, PC David had been called to St Cadoc's Hospital after one of their patients went missing.

PC David discovered her near the river and then, when he saw her jump into the water, radioed his control room to say he was going in after her.

"She was splashing around trying to keep her head above the water," said PC David.

He jumped into the river where the biting cold took his breath away, and swam the 15 metres to reach her.

"She struggled initially but then accepted that I'd be pulling her out," he said.

By that time an ambulance had arrived and the woman was returned to hospital.

PC David, who works at Alway police station, was also given a commendation from Gwent's chief constable, Mike Tonge.

But the modest officer said: "I'm not a hero, I just acted on impulse."

Major General David Pennefather, secretary of The Royal Humane Society, said: "But for his actions this woman would have drowned.

"He thoroughly deserves this award."