Police Bravery Awards 2009 - Region 2: Humberside officers scoop regional bravery award
16 July 2009
Two heroic officers from Humberside have tonight received the North East regional award at the 14th annual Police Bravery Awards in London, organised by the Police Federation of England and Wales and The Sun Newspaper.
The officers received the award at a glittering award ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel which followed a reception at 10 Downing Street where they, and 58 other nominees, met the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.
After a report that three local men were thought to be drowning in the nearby dock, PCs Cowley and Walker rushed to the scene; a large dock area known to be extremely dangerous and polluted.
On arrival at the scene, the officers spotted the men, who were struggling to keep afloat. The officers, with no thought for their own safety, entered the freezing water and swam over to the men. It was soon clear that the men had been drinking and by now one of the men had lost consciousness. PC Walker attempted to resuscitate the unconscious male and cleared his airways. PC Cowley supported the other struggling male whose eyes were now rolling.
It was soon apparent that whilst it was easy to enter the water, exit was near impossible. The officers formed a human chain to support two of the men against the wall of the dock and hoisted the unconscious male on to a wall of the dock. Sgt Nixon administered CPR until the paramedic arrived but despite this the man was later pronounced dead.
The officers showed exemplary bravery without which all three men would have died.
Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation which organises the Police Bravery Awards, said:
“These officers deserve the highest praise for risking their lives to save these three men in what were horrific conditions. The two officers demonstrated the finest of qualities in policing; teamwork, determination and a commitment to keeping the public safe. We hope this award goes some way towards recognising their heroic actions.”
Editor of The Sun Newspaper Rebekah Wade said:
“The Sun is tremendously proud of our association with the Police Bravery Awards and it is an honour for us to be sponsor this event for the 14th year. All the officers recognised at this evening’s ceremony have displayed exceptional bravery and the incredible devotion to duty shown by PCs Cowley and Walker makes them very worthy winners. With little concern for their own safety they demonstrated the commitment of so many of Britain’s police officers today.”
NOTE TO EDITORS
For further details please contact Steve Garmston, Humberside Police Federation on 07970 001216. No approach should be made before 10 pm.
Photographs of the nominees with the Prime Minister and as they receive their award will be available at 9.00 am on Friday 17th July from The Sun picture desk. Please call Robert Waker on 020 7782 4199.
For video footage contact Tim Duffy on 07970 590861 or timduffy4@gmail.com.
For further information about the event contact: Rachel Barnet or Melanie Davies at the Police Federation on 0137 235 2071 or Lorna Carmichael at The Sun Newspaper on 07836 340423.
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