PC's braveryrecognised following Cricklade crash (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

PC's braveryrecognised following Cricklade crash

12:06pm Friday 19th October 2012 in News

A POLICEMAN who climbed into a car that was hanging over the side of a bridge so he could give first aid to the driver has been recognized with a bravery award.

PC Jon Fairbairn was called to the crash on the A419 at Calcutt in June last year in which a car left the road, became impaled on a crash barrier and ended up balanced precariously on a gas pipe over the River Ray.

The motorist was seriously injured and PC Fairbairn stayed in the vehicle with the casualty until he could be freed by firefighters and paramedics.

His Chief Constable’s Certificate of Commendation, the highest given within the force for acts of courage that go beyond the call of duty, was one of several awards presented during a ceremony at Wiltshire Police headquarters.

PC Carl Jones, who was shot at three times during an arrest but managed to subdue the offender with PAVA spray, was also given a commendation, along with firearms PCs Phil Kibble and Ian Lewis who arrested a suspected gunman following the fatal shooting of solicitor James Ward in Devizes last July were also commended.

Certificates of merit were awarded to DC Amanda Carver for her investigation into a London-based crime ring that stole around £700,000 from auction houses and car dealerships throughout the UK, to DC Anthony King for his investigation into 101 burglaries and attempted burglaries by one man and to Claire Baines for dedication to her force operations room supervisor role.

Three members of the public, who rescued a man from a burning flat in Swindon were given a certificate of appreciation.