Police Bravery Awards 2008 - Region 7 winner - Gwent officer Keith Seagrim
MEDIA RELEASE
STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 10 PM THURSDAY JULY 10
NO APPROACH TO BE MADE TO WINNING OFFICER BEFORE 10PM
Gwent officer scoops regional bravery award
PC Keith Seagrim clinched the title at The Dorchester on 10th July in the presence of Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith and a host of celebrities.
The officer received one of eight regional awards at the glittering award ceremony which followed a reception at 10 Downing Street where he, and 64 other nominees, met the Prime Minister.
Constable Keith Seagrim and his Crime Scene Manager wife were awoken by a woman’s screams on the night of August 2nd 2007. They immediately got up and followed the sound of the cries in an attempt to locate the distressed woman.
Travelling through thick woodland in complete darkness, they spotted a woman in the river at the bottom of a four metre high bank. The river, in full flow, was thrashing against the bank and overpowering the woman. Fearing the woman would be taken by the strong current; Constable Seagrim forced his way through the thick undergrowth and jumped straight into the river.
The water was bitterly cold and the woman was in severe shock at this stage. Despite being almost completely submerged in water Constable Seagrim acted as a buffer to support the female and tried to reassure her and keep her awake. The woman was drifting in and out of consciousness and the officer could see that her leg was trapped by a heavy branch well below the surface of the water.
Constable Seagrim’s wife, Gail, also remaining calm and professional phoned the emergency services, waited for them to arrive and brought them to the scene. On arrival they secured the officer and the woman with a rope but because of the steep riverbank they could not get into the water. Constable Seagrim was given a saw to cut through the branch which was trapping the woman which he did allowing them both to be rescued by the fire service.
The officer spent two hours submerged in the cold water to save the drowning woman. She was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital and treated for hypothermia but made a full recovery. Without the prompt and courageous actions of this officer, there could have been a far more tragic ending.
Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation which organises the Police Bravery Awards, said:
“This officer deserves the utmost praise for his persistence and bravery shown throughout this dangerous and terrifying ordeal. He is a credit to the police service. We hope this award goes some way towards recognising his heroic actions.”
Editor of The Sun Newspaper Rebekah Wade said:
“This police officer faced a terrifying and unpredictable situation. They showed extraordinary bravery in tackling such violent offenders despite knowing one of their colleagues had been shot. Their selfless courage deserves the highest praise and it is an honour for The Sun to have this opportunity to recognise the dedication of such heroic officers.”
The annual awards are organised by the Police Federation of England and Wales and sponsored by The Sun Newspaper.
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS
For further details, or to arrange an interview with Keith Seagrim, call Jeff Mapps on 01495 764349. No approach should be made before 10 pm.
A video reconstruction and footage of the Downing Street reception and awards ceremony is available from 9am on Friday 11th July by calling Lorna Carmichael on 020 7782 4322.
Photographs of the nominees with the Prime Minister will be available at 9.00 am on Friday 11th July from the Sun picture desk. Contact Adrian Smith on 020 7782 4199.
For further information contact Rachel Barnet or Una Carney at the Police Federation on 07699 780798 or Lorna Carmichael at the Sun Newspaper on 07836 340423.
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