Latest news with #bravery
CBS News
18 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
When his great-grandmother suffered a serious fall, a 3-year-old boy braved the darkness to help save her life
How a toddler's brave walk into the darkness to get help inspired his family Strasburg, Colorado — When Stephanie Peabody started looking through the security footage taken from her garage camera in Strasburg, Colorado, she was trying to piece together what exactly happened that February night. Eventually, she not only found the answer, but the surprise of a lifetime. It all started when Stephanie and her husband left their 3-year-old son Bridger with his great-grandmother, 78-year-old Sharon Lewis. Bridger and his grandmother were walking into the Peabody home when Lewis tripped and hit her head on a concrete step. She couldn't get up, she was bleeding profusely, and she had left her phone in the car. First, they tried yelling for help from the neighbors, but that did not work. The only solution was for Bridger to return to Lewis' car and get her phone. "He (Bridger) said, 'GG, they don't hear us,'" Lewis recounted to CBS News. "I said, 'I know, so you're going to have to go get my phone.'" It was nighttime, and the path back to the car wasn't lit. It was in total darkness. "I was a lot afraid," Bridger told CBS News. "…It's too dark." "The dark is just a frightful thing for a little guy," Lewis said. That was when Bridger whispered to himself these three little words caught on security video: "Don't be afraid." Up to that point, Bridger had never even opened a car door, let alone faced such a life-and-death challenge. But he was able to courageously make his way to Lewis' car and open the door. The darkness was defeated. "I was so proud of him," Peabody said of her son. It's been about three months since that accident. Lewis has healed, and new lights were installed in the backyard. But perhaps, the most significant change has been the family's new fearless attitudes. Peabody said the incident has inspired her to pursue a career in special education. "It's something I've always wanted to do, but now it's like taking the chance to do it: 'Don't be afraid,'" Peabody said. "I have it tattooed on my arm." It's a reminder for the child inside all of us. Sometimes, true courage is being afraid and charging into the darkness anyway.
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Men who saved family from submerged car in Nuneaton get award
Two men who "saved the lives" of a family from a submerged car have been recognised for their Gill and Steve Elston were honoured for their "extraordinary bravery and decisive actions" after rescuing one adult and two young children in Nuneaton on 5 March, the council pair, who work for Currys and were driving between jobs, had spotted a vehicle upside down and partially submerged in water after being flagged down by a member of the Gill jumped into the lake and forced the car door open, rescuing a baby first, who he passed to Mr Elston who was on the riverbank. Mr Gill then rescued a second child from the rear passenger seat, before returning to help pull the adult driver County Council said Mr Elston had also organised a human chain with two other people who had stopped to help get them to men have been presented with the Chief Fire Officer's Commendation Award by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service (WFRS).Chief fire officer, Ben Brook, praised their "courageous actions" after coming across the car."Their quick thinking and decisive actions, helping one adult and two young children to get out of the vehicle, has saved lives," he Gill said the incident was a "very emotional day" he would never forget."I don't feel like a hero, I just did what was necessary," he said."A scary day, it makes you think about life differently," added Mr Elston. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Kent Police officer who rescued vulnerable woman up for award
A Kent Police officer has received an award nomination after entering a hazardous building to help a vulnerable Tom Vinall is in the running for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025, the Police Federation was nominated after helping rescue a woman sat on a building ledge at a derelict site in May 2024, according to the police officer representative Chief Constable Tim Smith said PC Vinall "demonstrated the finest qualities of a police officer". PC Vinall was one of the first officers at the early morning incident and entered the hazardous building, despite it being dark and containing debris, following a passer-by's report of a woman entering the site, the federation the incident he made contact with the at-risk woman, who was on a ledge, and built a rapport, according to the said this allowed PC Vinall to eventually remove the woman from danger and help her into the care of medical and mental health support agencies. Mr Smith said he was "very proud" of PC Vinall for putting the woman's safety "ahead of his own".Chair of the Kent Police Federation, Neil Mennie, said the incident showed "why policing is about far more than just catching criminals". PC Vinall "demonstrated the importance of care and empathy when dealing with vulnerable people", he added. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, support and advice is available via BBC Action Line
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Man suffocated woman who ignored his yells in Nottingham
A man who chased down a woman who was returning from a night out in Nottingham and tried to suffocate her has been Police said Matthew Ward followed the woman as she walked alone up Lenton Road towards Nottingham Castle at about 01:15 BST on 13 woman ignored the 20-year-old's shouts which prompted him to hit her over the head, pin her down and attempt to suffocate her for 10 seconds before she managed to fight him off, the force of Wilfred Drive, Darnall, Sheffield, was sentenced to 22 months in a young offender institution at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday. 'Coward's actions' Police said the woman sustained multiple bruises during the attack and was helped by a passing motorist who were notified soon afterwards and arrested Ward in nearby Friar was charged with intentional suffocation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm which he pleaded guilty to in court. Det Sgt Andrew Pym, from Nottinghamshire Police praised the victim's bravery."Her attacker's despicable actions were that of a coward, with Ward running after and hitting her from behind as she was walking home alone," he said."I can only imagine how scary this must've been for the victim."
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Sarah Togatuki: State of Origin star who was already reeling from her brother's suicide stuns teammates with incredible act just days after her sister died
They may have lost the match, but New South Wales star Sarah Togatuki showed incredible bravery just to play in Thursday night's Origin clash in Newcastle. The Blues forward showed unbelievable to take the field just days after the sudden death of her sister Jean, which followed the tragic death of her brother Junior, who took his own life in February. Jean passed away on Saturday following a brief hospital stay, leaving the Togatuki family devastated. Despite her grief, Sarah played in Thursday night's match against Queensland, contributing 42 metres in a 14-minute stint before a head knock forced her off the field. At fulltime, she was visibly emotional, surrounded by loved ones who had come to support her in Newcastle. The Blues team wore black armbands in Jean's memory, standing in solidarity with their grieving teammate. Coach John Strange praised Togatuki's courage, expressing doubt that any other player could have matched her strength in such circumstances. 'I don't know if I could have done that [after] losing a sister on Saturday,' he said after the game. 'I had a chat to her about spending time with her family, but it was also really important to her and her family that she came out and represented them. 'So to show the strength of character to do that, is a real testament to who she is as a person and the love she has for her family and the game that she plays. 'She's certainly not underestimated by any of us for what she does. Outstanding player and even better person.' Captain Isabelle Kelly, a longtime NRLW teammate, said the squad had supported Togatuki through the tragedy. 'When you know Sala, she's an infectious type of person. She wasn't in camp with us for a bit and we missed her, we missed her presence,' Kelly said. 'She puts everyone before herself and she's just really inspiring. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sarah Togatuki (@salatogatuki) Sarah let all the emotion flow out at fulltime after climbing into the stands to be with her family The extended family all travelled to Newcastle to support Sarah with a sign saying that Jean was her #1 supporter 'A lot of us were saying we wouldn't have been able to do what she has done this week. 'She was a huge inspiration for us leading into this game and I know she would have done her family so proud, even though she came off, she's done all of us proud with the strength that she has. 'I feel really honoured and lucky to be able to pull on a jersey alongside her.' Jean has been honoured with an outpouring of tributes on social media, including from her daughter. 'I never thought I had to say this speech so young but I promise to fulfill the dream you and I shared I promise to do you proud I will live in your name loud and proud,' she wrote. 'The stadiums have been quiet without and also the house hold , you've made a massive impact on many lives and I am glad to be named your daughter mum I love you deeper than the sea could ever get.' Sarah herself posted a lengthy tribute to her 'best friend' and also revealed it came after the loss of her brother. 'In the blink of an eye, our family's world changed. My beautiful big sister gained her wings and has gone to be with our brother JNR,' she posted. The tributes flowed on social media including a heartbreaking post from Jean's daughter 'It still doesn't feel real. She was only admitted to hospital two weeks ago, and now she's gone. The pain is overwhelming, especially for her four beautiful babies. 'She wasn't just my sister. She was my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, and the quiet glue that held our family together. 'After losing our brother, she vowed to protect us all, and she truly lived that promise. She always showed up. Always put others before herself. Always stood on loyalty and love. 'I'm numb. Still struggling to find the words. My sister carried a light that touched so many. She had a way of making everyone feel seen, heard, and loved. If she loved you, you felt it deeply. 'She was a mother figure to many and a steady anchor in every phase of life she walked through.'
