A WOMAN says it is bittersweet that she has finally been able to track down the identity of the police officer who gave her the kiss of life when she was a baby more than 50 years ago.

Gina Walton almost drowned in a bath at a house in Buttershaw in April 1970 when she was just 15 months old.

However, her life was saved by a police officer who was nearby and answered the 999 call. He gave her the kiss of life when he got to the house and again in the ambulance on the way to St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: PC Brian Bateson with Gina Walton after he saved her lifePC Brian Bateson with Gina Walton after he saved her life

The story was covered by the Telegraph & Argus and the national press at the time, as the police officer was pictured holding the toddler.

For the next 50 years, Gina - who was born in Keighley and grew up in Bradford - never knew the identity of the hero police officer, only knowing his first name was Brian.

This all changed when Gina posted about the incident on the Telegraph & Argus's We Grew Up In Bradford Facebook page, looking for newspaper articles about the incident from the time.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A newspaper article from 1970 on the incidentA newspaper article from 1970 on the incident

As luck would have it the officer's son, Mark Bateson, spotted Gina's post and got in touch to give details of his father’s identity - PC Brian Bateson.

Sadly PC Bateson died in 2003, meaning Gina has missed out on a reunion with the officer who saved her life.

Mark also revealed that PC Bateson had won the Royal Humane Society award in June 1970 in recognition of his actions two months earlier.

Gina, who is now aged 53 and lives in Peterborough and has five children and eight grandchildren, said: “I was at my mum’s after she died recently going through pictures and found it and thought I would have another go at finding the police officer.

“I didn't realise how bad it was until I read about it in the newspaper article.

“I’m so lucky to be here and it’s thanks to him that I’m here with my kids and my grandkids.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Gina pictured now with a frame photograph of her as a toddler with PC BatesonGina pictured now with a frame photograph of her as a toddler with PC Bateson

“They know about my story and they were behind me to make contact.

“My mum told me that I'd drowned and got the kiss of life.

“Brian’s family seem really nice and seem happy that I have put it out on social media. Both me and his family have some closure about it.

“I would have really like to have met him and had a chat with him about how it all came about and all that sort of stuff.

“God bless social media. I have messaged Brian’s family and they are happy that he has not been forgotten.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: PC Brian Bateson was honoured for his actions in April 1970 by the Royal Humane SocietyPC Brian Bateson was honoured for his actions in April 1970 by the Royal Humane Society

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