Latest news with #NationalPoliceBraveryAwards2025
Wales Online
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Police officer rescues driver trapped in car fire just moments before explosion
Police officer rescues driver trapped in car fire just moments before explosion The driver suffered life-threatening injuries in the collision involving two cars and a tractor PC Jonathan Tatam rescued a man stuck in a burning car (Image: Police Federation ) A police officer rescued a man from a burning car moments before it was completely engulfed in flames and exploded. PC Jonathan Tatam, was responding to a road traffic collison at a single-track road outside of Carmarthen that involved two cars and a tractor on August 3, 2024. Unfortunately, the car that was in the middle, had caught fire and its driver, a man, was still stuck in the vehicle and was heard screaming on the 999 call. As soon as he arrived on the scene, PC Tatam assessed the situation, saw the fire spreading to nearby bushes and sprang into action. The Dyfed-Powys Police officer ran back to his police vehicle and brought a fire extinguisher to slow the fire's spread. Stay informed on Carms news by signing up to our newsletter here Meanwhile, the driver of the car was trying to free himself but his foot seemed to have been stuck in the vehicle. As the driver stuck in the car continued his attempts to free himself of the car, PC Tatam continued to deal with the fire, and scrambled to look for any tools that might help free the man to no avail. Article continues below Fortunately the man managed to free himself of the vehicle and PC Tatam came back to the car to help him out. PC Tatam went on to pull the driver out, and with the help of a colleague, as well as a member of the public, dragged him away from the vehicle. Mere moments after the man was rescued, the car was fully alight and exploded even before the fire service could reach the scene. The driver had to be airlifted to a hospital in Cardiff after he suffered life-threatening injuries in the incident. The man suffered third-degree burns to his legs and lower torso, requiring skin grafts, in additon to a fractured femur and facial fractures. PC Tatam has now been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025 for his role in preventing further serious injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable Richard Lewis said: 'As chief constable, it gave me a great sense of pride when I heard of the courageous actions of PC Tatam that day.' The chief constable also lauded him for taking a risk for ohers' safety, as he said: 'There was a considerable threat to his own safety, however he put himself at risk to ensure the safety of others. 'It is important that his swift actions, which made a difference between life and death, is commended. PC Tatam should feel immensely proud for being nominated for this year's Police Bravery Awards.' Dyfed-Powys Police Federation Chair Delme Rees has added that the organisation is proud of him to his 'exceptional courage' and keeping a 'cool head'. He said: 'We couldn't be any prouder of Jonathan for the exceptional courage and quick thinking he displayed in this rapidly deteriorating situation. With the fire spreading and the person inside the car becoming more desperate all the time, it would've been easy for Jonathan to let panic set in himself, but he kept a cool head and remained focused on the job at hand – which is excellent policing." The chairperson added: 'There is no doubt his actions rescued the victim from an even worse outcome, especially when you consider the injuries that were sustained. Jonathan is absolutely deserving of his nomination. I'd like to wish him all the best for the Bravery Awards, where I'm sure he'll have a great time being celebrated for the outstanding officer he is.' Article continues below
ITV News
09-05-2025
- ITV News
Three officers who confronted Southport attacker nominated for bravery awards
Three police officers who confronted Southport knife attacker Axel Rudakubana have been nominated for bravery awards. Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, Constable Luke Holden and PCSO Timothy Parry were the first officers to arrive on the scene of the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed workshop on 29 July 2024. Rudakubana, 18, who murdered Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and injured 10 others, was confronted by the officers as he stood at the top of a flight of stairs holding a large knife. The three men have been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025 after facing what Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy described as 'unimaginable horror'. Ms Kennedy said: 'As first on the scene and in those frantic initial moments, they were unaware of the horrific events taking place but they dismissed any thoughts for their own safety, bravely detaining the offender while protecting and helping the victims and those inside. 'We are all immensely proud of Ps Gillespie, Pc Holden and PCSO Parry for their courage, professionalism and swift actions in such horrendous circumstances. For the officers to be recognised in this way is true testament to them all.' According to the nomination, Mr Gillespie was first to arrive at Hart Street after a radio call at midday to reports of a male attacking children with a knife. He described seeing 'chaos' when he arrived and directing paramedics to a seriously injured child. He was joined by Mr Holden and Mr Parry and the officers witnessed members of the public running away from the dance studio carrying young children. Armed with a baton and a Taser, Mr Gillespie and Mr Holden entered the building, while Mr Parry covered the exit, and found Rudakubana holding a large knife at the top of the stairs. The officers approached the suspect, while shouting at him to drop the knife, and Mr Parry ran in to assist. Rudakubana, who was jailed for a minimum of 52 years in January, dropped the knife and, after officers struck him with a baton and kicked him to get him under control, was handcuffed and arrested. Merseyside Police Federation chairman Chris McGlade said: 'Police officers join the service to keep our communities safe and prevent them from harm. 'In the face of the most challenging and perilous of circumstances, these three officers exemplified this commitment. 'Without hesitation, they prioritised public safety and demonstrated the highest levels of bravery. Their professionalism was unparalleled, and it is fitting that we acknowledge and honour their actions accordingly.' The Police Bravery Awards will be held on July 10.
Belfast Telegraph
09-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Officers who confronted Southport attacker nominated for bravery awards
Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, Constable Luke Holden and PCSO Timothy Parry were the first officers to arrive on the scene of the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed workshop on July 29 last year. Rudakubana, 18, who murdered Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and injured 10 others, was confronted by the officers as he stood at the top of a flight of stairs holding a large knife. The three men have been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025 after facing what Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy described as 'unimaginable horror'. Ms Kennedy said: 'As first on the scene and in those frantic initial moments, they were unaware of the horrific events taking place but they dismissed any thoughts for their own safety, bravely detaining the offender while protecting and helping the victims and those inside. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. 'We are all immensely proud of Ps Gillespie, Pc Holden and PCSO Parry for their courage, professionalism and swift actions in such horrendous circumstances. For the officers to be recognised in this way is true testament to them all.' According to the nomination, Mr Gillespie was first to arrive at Hart Street after a radio call at midday to reports of a male attacking children with a knife. He described seeing 'chaos' when he arrived and directing paramedics to a seriously injured child. He was joined by Mr Holden and Mr Parry and the officers witnessed members of the public running away from the dance studio carrying young children. Armed with a baton and a Taser, Mr Gillespie and Mr Holden entered the building, while Mr Parry covered the exit, and found Rudakubana holding a large knife at the top of the stairs. The officers approached the suspect, while shouting at him to drop the knife, and Mr Parry ran in to assist. Rudakubana, who was jailed for a minimum of 52 years in January, dropped the knife and, after officers struck him with a baton and kicked him to get him under control, was handcuffed and arrested. Merseyside Police Federation chairman Chris McGlade said: 'Police officers join the service to keep our communities safe and prevent them from harm. 'In the face of the most challenging and perilous of circumstances, these three officers exemplified this commitment. 'Without hesitation, they prioritised public safety and demonstrated the highest levels of bravery. Their professionalism was unparalleled, and it is fitting that we acknowledge and honour their actions accordingly.' The Police Bravery Awards will be held on July 10.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Officers who confronted Southport attacker nominated for bravery awards
Three police officers who confronted and detained Southport knife attacker Axel Rudakubana have been nominated for bravery awards. Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, Constable Luke Holden and PCSO Timothy Parry were the first officers to arrive on the scene of the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed workshop on July 29 last year. Rudakubana, 18, who murdered Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and injured 10 others, was confronted by the officers as he stood at the top of a flight of stairs holding a large knife. The three men have been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025 after facing what Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy described as 'unimaginable horror'. Ms Kennedy said: 'As first on the scene and in those frantic initial moments, they were unaware of the horrific events taking place but they dismissed any thoughts for their own safety, bravely detaining the offender while protecting and helping the victims and those inside. The three @MerseyPolice officers who confronted and detained Axel Rudakubana after he killed three children at a dance class in Southport have been nominated for the National #PoliceBravery Awards 2025. — Merseyside Police Federation (@MerPolFed) May 8, 2025 'We are all immensely proud of Ps Gillespie, Pc Holden and PCSO Parry for their courage, professionalism and swift actions in such horrendous circumstances. For the officers to be recognised in this way is true testament to them all.' According to the nomination, Mr Gillespie was first to arrive at Hart Street after a radio call at midday to reports of a male attacking children with a knife. He described seeing 'chaos' when he arrived and directing paramedics to a seriously injured child. He was joined by Mr Holden and Mr Parry and the officers witnessed members of the public running away from the dance studio carrying young children. Armed with a baton and a Taser, Mr Gillespie and Mr Holden entered the building, while Mr Parry covered the exit, and found Rudakubana holding a large knife at the top of the stairs. The officers approached the suspect, while shouting at him to drop the knife, and Mr Parry ran in to assist. Rudakubana, who was jailed for a minimum of 52 years in January, dropped the knife and, after officers struck him with a baton and kicked him to get him under control, was handcuffed and arrested. Merseyside Police Federation chairman Chris McGlade said: 'Police officers join the service to keep our communities safe and prevent them from harm. 'In the face of the most challenging and perilous of circumstances, these three officers exemplified this commitment. 'Without hesitation, they prioritised public safety and demonstrated the highest levels of bravery. Their professionalism was unparalleled, and it is fitting that we acknowledge and honour their actions accordingly.' The Police Bravery Awards will be held on July 10.
