Daily Record - May 06 2005 - By Craig McDonald
HERE'S MEDAL FOR SAVING 1500 LIVES .. DON'T DO IT AGAIN
Hero gets gong - but is banned.
A RESCUE hero who has saved more than 1500 lives has been banned from his work.
News of the ban on 61-year old George Parsonage emerged as he collected a lifetime achievement award from the Royal Humane Society yesterday.
George, of the Glasgow Humane Society, has lost the assistant who helped him in his rescues on the River Clyde and police chiefs have told officers they cannot call him out on his own for health and safety reasons.
The decision could be reversed if George, based at Glasgow Green, can find a new assistant.
The rescue hero, who was in London to collect his award from Princess Alexandra yesterday, voiced concerns over safety on the river in his absence.
He said: 'I have done my service but I am worried about what will happen until a proper replacement is set up.
Glasgow has blazed a trail with this service for its citizens and visitors to the city alike.
It's a worry what will happen now.
How long will it take to get a boat to the scene if someone is in difficulty in the river?'
He claimed he was not angry with police over the ban, saying: 'There is no animosity or annoyance - but there is worry over what will happen now.'
But George insisted he would still rescue people from the water if alerted.
He said: 'If a member of the public calls and there's someone out in the river, I'll be out there.' George has a clutch of other awards for bravery and was awarded the MBE for his work in 1999.
He took over the role from his father Ben in 1979.
As well as carrying out rescues, he has had the grim task of retrieving 500 bodies from the river.
The father and son have had a street - Parsonage Row in the Merchant City - named in recognition of their work.
The decision to ban George was taken after a meeting between police, the fire brigade and Glasgow Humane Society.
A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said: Police are no longer able to call on Mr Parsonage for rescue and recovery work.
Should the society appoint a suitably qualified assistant, we will review our position.