A police officer has jumped into the Ross River in Townsville to save a man who was struggling to stay afloat after trying to flee from police by crossing the water.
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Police were called to an address on Ross River Road at Kirwan about 5pm on Sunday after a disturbance between a number of people.
Two men were arrested before police saw a third man who was allegedly assaulting someone on the footpath outside.
A police spokesman said the man was told to stop multiple times before he fled on foot towards Ross River and began to swim about 200 metres downstream from the Black Weir.
"The man swam halfway across the river before he began screaming for assistance and was struggling to stay afloat in the water," he said.
"Fearing for the life of the man, a young male constable from Kirwan Station entered Ross River.
"The constable swam across Ross River before assisting the man out of the river on the other side where he was then placed under arrest."
The man’s health was checked before he was taken to the Townsville Watchhouse.
The 28-year-old Heatley man was charged with public nuisance and obstructing police.
The two men initially arrested have also been charged.
A 22-year-old Kelso man was charged with public nuisance and obstruct police.
A 24-year-old Condon man was charged with public nuisance, obstruct police and consuming liquor in a public place.
The trio will appear at Townsville Magistrates Court on March 5.
