Life-saving acts recognised with commendations

Four police colleagues have been awarded commendations for their bravery in saving a man’s life.

A member of the public has also received an award for her own life-saving intervention in a separate incident.

At about 10pm on 3 August 2021, PCSO Felicity Wilkinson, of North Yorkshire Police, was first on scene to reports of a man in distress on the wrong side of a bridge over the A1(M) near Scotch Corner.

She made the scene safe and spoke to the man, before PC Michael Smith, PC Steven Gardner and PC Alan Fenney arrived, and they grabbed hold of the man to prevent him falling.

They held on to the man for ten minutes while further officers made their way to the location. They were eventually able to pull him on to the right side of the bridge, and he was taken to hospital.

In a separate incident, on the A1(M) near Boroughbridge on the morning of 9 December 2021, member of the public Evie Armitage provided life-saving intervention when she passed a collision. A lorry driver had suffered a heart attack at the wheel, resulting in a collision with the central reservation.

Together with another member of the public, they jumped into the HGV cab to help, and Evie provided CPR for 11 minutes before paramedics arrived. The driver was taken to hospital for urgent treatment, and made a recovery thanks in part to Evie’s actions.

Earlier this month, North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lisa Winward presented Felicity Wilkinson (who is now training as a police officer), Michael Smith, Steven Gardner, Alan Fenney and Evie Armitage with awards from the Royal Humane Society, in recognition of their life-saving actions.

She said: “These commendations recognise the bravery and selflessness of those who put themselves at risk to save the lives of others.

“The courageous actions of the recipients are an inspiration to us all, and I was proud to be able to honour them in this way.”