The heroic policeman who stripped down to his underwear and jumped into freezing waters to save the passenger of a van that crashed off Maungatapu causeway performed similar heroics 15 years ago.

Constable Deane O'Connor was one of the first police officers on the scene of the tragic crash on the causeway bridge that claimed the life of 24-year-old Tauranga father Greg Woledge on Monday night.

Western Bay of Plenty Strategic Traffic Unit Constable Deane O'Connor.

The Maungatapu causeway on Monday night.

Police say the van carrying Greg and a 23-year-old work colleague was struck by an oncoming vehicle about 6.10pm causing it to plough through railings into five metre deep water in Rangataua Bay.

When Deane arrived at the scene he spotted the 23-year-old passenger who had managed to free himself but was struggling to stay afloat in the chilly current.

The 53-year-old member of the Western Bay of Plenty Police Strategic Traffic Unit jumped into the harbour and swam 150metres to the man.

Deane managed to calm the man and turn him onto his back while the pair were carried by the current. Focusing on the search lights onshore Deane was able to eventually make his way back to safety about 30 minutes later. Both were taken to Tauranga Hospital suffering from hypothermia and later discharged.

But it appears this is not the first time Deane has saved someone from a crash. Stuff.co.nz reports Deane also helped rescue a woman from a fiery crash in Maungatapu 15 years ago.

In 1997 Deane came across two cars that had crashed and were wedged together. One was on fire and Deane could hear a woman screaming from inside the car.

Deane and a passing motorist, Paul Llewell, quickly attached a borrowed rope to Deane's four-wheel-drive Pajero and pulled the vehicles apart.

Emergency service workers were then able to cut the woman free from the wreck and rush her to Tauranga Hospital with burns to her stomach, shoulder and elbow as well as cuts and two broken ankles.

"When she started screaming, we could see she was trapped above where flames had started to break out," Deane said at the time.

"We grabbed a strop from another truck and backed up the Pajero. When we got them apart, that's when the fire really took off."

At the time Deane was credited with saving the woman's life.

His quick thinking actions are also being credited this week with Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Clifford Paxton saying police are very proud of his efforts.

"What he did was pretty outstanding. He evaluated the situation, believed he could make a difference, and clearly he did make a difference.”

Deane's police career began in 2000 and has included a tour of duty in the Solomon Islands in 2010.

He has so far declined to speak to media about the most recent incident.