Despite being unable to swim, Ryan Warwick still entered the water-filled ditch in an attempt to rescue a young woman inside a car that was upside-down at Wissington, near Downham Market.

Desperate to rescue her, he was among members of the emergency services plunged into the ditch after the car, with two women inside, left the road and overturned.

Norfolk Accident Rescue Service (NARS) critical care paramedic Ryan Warwick was among those who entered the icy waters and battled to get the driver out.

He was meant to be off-duty that night, but attended the call out in a volunteer capacity. And, for his bravery, he recently received a commendation award from the ambulance service.

Afterwards, Mr Warwick said: 'It was very much a team effort from all the emergency services that night.'

A spokesman for NARS added: 'We're obviously extremely proud of Ryan. What he did went above and beyond the call of duty and all the emergency services did absolutely everything they possibly could in the rescue effort.'

On Saturday, February 28, at around 7pm, they were called to the incident at Wissington, near Downham Market.

Once the driver was out of the car, attempts were made to revive her at the side of the road. But Roseanne Stewart, 26, from Temple Road, King's Lynn, later died in hospital.

The other woman in the car escaped with cuts and bruises.

Mr Warwick was among more than 100 others from across the region to receive awards earlier this month.

Anthony Marsh, the Chief Executive of the East of England Ambulance Service, said: 'Having worked in the ambulance service myself for over 30 years, I know what a difficult and challenging job this can be for our staff and volunteers and I am proud of their achievements which we celebrated at our awards ceremony,'

Alan Jones, Paul Rampley, Adam Wright and Amanda Warby also received the Chief Officer Commendations for disarming a patient armed with a knife in Great Yarmouth.

Have you ever received a bravery award? Email louise.hepburn@archant.co.uk