A BRITISH policeman has drowned - saving the lives of a former Huddersfield rugby player's sons.
Pc Jonny Speakman, 33, was swept away in treacherous seas off the coast of Australia.
But the hero officer had managed to save Cody and Jordie Hanger, the young sons of former Huddersfield Giants star Dean Hanger.
The boys, aged eight and 12, had got into difficulties in Spoon Bay, New South Wales.
Pc Speakman was on the beach with Australian friends, including Mr Hanger, who played for Huddersfield in the 1990s.
Hanger waded into the rough sea to try and save his sons and was joined by Pc Speakman.
Both men reached the boys but found themselves in trouble.
Rescue boats from a surf club were launched and managed to reach the boys and Mr Hanger, but the police officer was swept away. His body was discovered an hour later.
Pc Speakman served with the Cheshire force for six years. He was in Australia on holiday.
Hanger returned to his native Australia after leaving Huddersfield for a spell with Warrington Wolves.
He signed for Huddersfield from Leigh in 1994 and spent four years with the club.
Centre player Hanger was a Fartown favourite, and was in the side beating Hull 18-0 to win the Giants promotion to the Super League in 1997.
