THREE men who plunged into the icy water of the Bridgewater Canal in a desperate attempt to save the lives of two teenagers trapped in a car have been commended for their bravery.

Cheshire coroner Nicholas Rheinberg praised the actions of taxi driver Philip Reading and police officers Derek Arnold and Andrew Doran at an inquest held into the deaths of Gemma Biggin and Stephen Abbott held last week.

The 17-year-olds, both students at Priestley College, died when the car Stephen was driving overturned and plunged into the canal on November 28 last year.

The two rear seat passengers, Jake Edwards and Anthony Bland, managed to escape, stumbled to the roadside and flagged down a passing taxi driven by Mr Reading.

He immediately dived into the canal and attempted to free Gemma and Stephen. When this failed, an attempt was made to tow the car from the canal using a Landrover.

Mr Rheinberg said: "Mr Reading's actions were commendable.

"He is an ordinary citizen and no one has any right to expect him to put his own life in danger in an attempt to save life.

"He acted promptly and bravely and I am announcing my intention of bringing his actions to the attention of The Humane Society, who have the ability to give him a bravery award."

When PC Arnold and PC Doran arrived on the scene, they both dived into the water in an attempt to reach the teenagers but silt from the canal bed made it impossible to see inside the car and release the pair.

Praising their actions, Mr Rheinberg added: "I announce my intention of writing to the Chief Constable of Cheshire Police, to bring their actions to his attention.

"It struck me that both gentlemen knew scientifically the risks they were taking.

"One of the officers was actually proficient in underwater activities, so this was not a hasty move, but a deliberate action, knowing full well the risks."