PC Gary Jones - ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY AWARD ON VELLUM
Two police officers and a call-taker have been commended for helping to save the life of a man ‘intent on suicide’ in a treacherous February snow-fall on the Malvern Hills.
Police were told only that a man had taken tablets and was threatening to commit suicide – not where he might be! From previous incidents involving the man, however, Malvern-based PCs Gary Jones and Grant Lawrence deduced that he was probably near Tank Quarry.
As local fire and safety crews could not reach the area due to heavy snow making conditions treacherous - and there were real concerns for the man's life - Gary and Grant took the decision to try and reach him themselves.
While they were trying to do so, call-taker Gaynor Osborne managed to speak with him on his mobile phone and ascertained that he had a noose around his neck attached to a tree, had been drinking alcohol, consumed a considerable number of tablets and was hoping to die of hypothermia.
“Using her excellent communication skills, Gaynor was able to maintain contact with him for some 20 minutes,” said Ch. Supt. Jane Horwood, head of policing in South Worcestershire.
“Gary and Grant used their knowledge of the area, tracks in the snow and the sound of his mobile phone to locate the man. They had to climb up a narrow ridge path on the side of the quarry that was covered in several inches of snow and without lighting.
“When they finally reached the man - on a ridge two-to-three metres wide - he was drifting in and out of consciousness due to the drugs and the cold temperatures and was unable to stand unaided.
“They carried him back along the ridge path, climbed around a locked gate - temporarily hanging over the quarry with the man - before bringing him safely down to ground level.
“With the nearest ambulance crew 30 minutes away, Gary and Grant administered immediate first aid before taking him to hospital themselves.
“This man had made previous attempts to take his own life and on this occasion he clearly appeared to have no regard for the safety of the officers or the conditions they were working under.
“The quick-thinking of Gary and Grant, plus Gaynor's excellent communication skills, meant he was located quickly and received medical attention. This may well have saved his life”.
PCs Jones and Lawrence received the Royal Humane Society Award on Vellum, signed by Princess Alexandra, for rescuing a man intent on taking his own life in treacherous conditions. Ms Osborne was commended for her professionalism and excellent communication skills, which assisted in bringing about a successful conclusion to the rescue.