THREE heroes who saved the lives of two other people have been honoured by Devon and Somerset’s top fire officer.
Aaron Lawton and Carl Reed received the Chief Fire Officer’s Certificate of Commendation for throwing themselves into icy water to rescue a man in a wheelchair who had fallen into Firepool Lock, in Taunton.
They shot down three flights of stairs in a nearby block of flats under construction and dived into the water after spotting the elderly man sinking in the water.
The intrepid duo then held his head above water until firefighters arrived to pull him to safety during the dramatic rescue in April last year – although they played down their actions, telling the County Gazette at the time that they only did what anyone else would have done.
Adrian Bishop was presented with the same award for his quick thinking in saving a workmate who was trapped in a bandsaw in industrial premises in Hatch Beauchamp.
Adrian Bishop with Lee Howell.
Ron Aspley’s head was inches from the blade when Mr Bishop heard his screams and rushed over to slam on the stop button with his foot, keeping his foot on the air operated switch while the emergency services worked to free his colleague.
Mr Aspley, who lost an arm in the incident, later told the Gazette he owed his life to Mr Bishop.
The presentations were made by Chief Fire Office Lee Howell, whle the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Annie Maw, gave out long service award to Taunton-based firefighter David Lock and crew manager Kevin Strowger and group manager Martin Carnell, of the Somerset command support team.
David Lock with Annie Maw.
Martin Carnell with Annie Maw.
Kevin Strowger with Annie Maw.
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