A former Wokingham schoolboy has been hailed a hero after rescuing a man from a submerged car in Australia.

Senior Constable Nick Harlin was on patrol with his partner Senior Constable Mal Lee in North Perth, Western Australia, when the pair made the dramatic rescue.

News of the 33-year-old’s heroic actions on Sunday, January 20, quickly spread back home to staff at his former secondary, The Forest School in Winnersh, and mum Janet Haines.

Con Harlin, a former Thames Valley Police officer based at Loddon Valley in Lower Earley and brought up in Woosehill, moved to Western Australia to become a traffic officer in 2006.

Mrs Haines, who still lives in Woosehill, said: “On Monday, January 21, Nick emailed me and said ‘had a fun weekend’ and I got in touch with him. I’m so very pleased the rescue went so well.

“I’m very proud of him and his late father would be.”

Con Harlin and his partner rescued a man after a Hyundai sedan was deliberately driven through a temporary fence before hitting rocks at a jetty.

He told reporters: “Every day there are a lot of boys and girls wearing uniform who go out and put themselves in situations of risk.

“It’s just what we do.”

Mrs Haines added: “This isn’t the first time as on his Facebook page someone wrote ‘you are making a habit of this’ as when he was in Bali someone went overboard on a boat and he went in and got them as well.”

Con Harlin was a member of Reading Swimming Club and played water polo for them and for Northumbria University. He still plays water polo in Perth and is a trained scuba diver.

Mrs Haines added: “The Forest School’s ethos and guidance played a big part during Nick’s formative years, being the male role model for both my boys after they lost their father suddenly in 1992.

“They did a great job in instilling values that have stayed with them both.

“I think the school should take a lot of the credit.”

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