A team of hero police officers have been recognised for their bravery in helping a knife-wielding man with mental issues who had seriously injured himself by severing an artery.
The officers from West Lothian were recognised at the prestigious Scottish First Aid Awards ceremony held in Glasgow on Friday.
The annual event, organised by Scotland’s only dedicated first aid charity, St Andrew’s First Aid, saw Police Constables Rachael Hendry, Chris Smart, Nikki Smith and David Jones from the East J Division, take home the Chairman’s Award in recognition of a heroic act of bravery and first aid intervention in the face of a high risk situation.
Responding to reports of a gas leak in a residential area in Edinburgh City Centre, PCs Hendry and Smart didn’t hesitate to place themselves at the front line, protecting other first responders from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Gas Engineers, when they were unexpectedly met with a knife-wielding man.
The man, who was suffering from a mental health related episode, had severe self-inflicted wounds, one of which had severed an artery. The officers calmly de-escalated the situation as they attempted to negotiate with him to allow them to administer first aid, while calling for back up.
As PCs Smith and Jones arrived on the scene, the four officers provided life-saving treatment, stemming the source of blood loss until paramedics arrived. The calm and swift actions taken saved the man’s life, before they then evacuated the wider building to ensure the safety of the public amidst the gas leak.
Following emergency surgery, the injured man recovered and was provided with further mental health support.
Police Constable Chris Smart said: “In this job, you never quite know what situation you are walking into, and we are trained to keep calm and assess. Ultimately, we saw a man who was in need of our help and support, and it was second nature to act. We heard so many inspiring tales at the ceremony, it’s clear to see that everyone in the room is a hero, but my colleagues and I being recognised by St Andrew’s First Aid is an exciting surprise.”
Rudy Crawford, Chairman of St Andrew’s First Aid, said: “When faced with a distressing and compounding emergency situation, the officers demonstrated essential life-saving treatment, and heroic acts of bravery.
“Thanks to their efforts that day, a man’s life was saved, enabling him to go on and receive the care and support he needed; and a wider catastrophe was avoided. I cannot think of a more fitting example for the Chairman’s Award.”
More than 400 people attended the St Andrew’s First Aid Scottish First Aid Awards which were held at Radisson Blu on Cambridge Street in Glasgow. The night was hosted by actor, comedian and writer, Sanjeev Kohli, also known as shopkeeper, Navid Harrid from Still Game.
More than 60 nominations across nine categories were received this year, each one highlighting an exceptional example of first aid intervention, skill and sharing best practice.
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