Several first responders have been praised for their courageous and lifesaving actions during two separate incidents.

Borough police Chief Jason Nothstein presented several emergency responders with certificates of recognition at a recent borough council meeting.

Nothstein said the first incident was a water rescue that occurred on April 20 on the Lehigh River within the borough.

He said Diamond Fire Company of Walnutport Assistant Chief Kyle Kromer, along with firefighter Matthew Kuntz and borough patrol officer Aung “Alex” Tha responded.

The incident involved a man who was rescued after jumping into the Lehigh River in Walnutport.

Diamond Fire Company of Walnutport fire Chief Mike Wentz said firefighters were dispatched at 6:56 p.m. for a water rescue on the Lehigh River in the borough.

Wentz said the Lehigh County Communications Center pinged the man’s phone, which showed him at a spot, but when they pinged the phone again, they said it could be a distance.

He added they said it could be in the Slatington area, anywhere from the Lehigh Gap bridge to Treichlers bridge, but they couldn’t determine the exact area.

Wentz said at some point the man decided to jump into the water.

He said the man suffered severe injuries, including multiple lacerations, contusions and abrasions, as well as extreme hypothermia, before being transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Wentz noted that the Diamond Fire Company’s water rescue team launched the boat, but were only able to go 100 to 120 yards because it got that shallow and the boat couldn’t go any further.

He said two members of his department jumped in and retrieved the man and brought him back to the shore, and added that Walnutport officer Tha went down the bank and helped drag him up the bank.

Wentz also praised the Slatington Fire Department.

He also credited the Diamond Fire Company’s water rescue team, Lehighton Fire Department’s water team and Northampton Fire Department’s water team, which all worked together.

In addition, Wentz said the Lehigh Township Fire Company and Slatington Fire Company were positioned along the shores watching, and added Northern Valley Ambulance Association also assisted.

Emergency personnel were on the scene for over an hour.

Wentz lauded all the emergency responders for their roles in the rescue.

Nothstein said the second incident involved an attempted suicide that took place on April 26.

He said officer Scott Ledo and firefighter William Miller responded.

Nothstein added that in both instances, their quick thinking and heroic efforts were able to save a person’s life.