THE 2023 BRAVERY AWARDS
PC Taylor Gregson, PC Sam Stinchon, PC Mike McMahon, PC Katherine Maxwell, PC Vanessa Fowler & Head of Police and Forces Mutual, Police Mutual, Kerry McMahon-White
PCs Sam Stinchon, Taylor Gregson, Katherine Maxwell, Mike McMahon and Vanessa Fowler
The officers jumped into a river and did everything they could to save a woman’s life
On 21 July 2022, around 9pm, police received call from a panicked male who said his mother had just ended her life by jumping into a fast-flowing river. The first to arrive at the scene were PCs Sam Stinchon and Taylor Gregson. They were confronted with a difficult situation as they were met with a high wall with a 10-foot drop on the other side of it into the river once they made their way through the grassland.
Dropping down from the wall and making their way to the river they were met with the male who had pulled the woman to shallow water where she was laid above the water and from where the officers could administer CPR. PCs Katherine Maxwell and
After performing CPR for 13 minutes a pulse was obtained. However, the woman was not breathing at this time. The efforts made at this stage of the incident to administer CPR and save the woman’s life ensured that she could be taken to the hospital where she had the greatest chance of survival.
She was in a medically induced coma in Royal Blackburn Hospital for 10 days for assessments. Sadly, she passed away in hospital several days later, but was given
“We all are rightly proud of them; they represent the very best of Lancashire Constabulary. ”
Mike McMahon arrived on scene shortly after bringing with them extensive first aid equipment usually carried by armed response officers. Both PC Maxwell and PC McMahon assisted with providing first aid and CPR to the victim. PC Vanessa Fowler then arrived on scene along with other emergency service workers to assist with the rescue efforts.
14 | POLICE | AUGUST | 2023
every chance to survive thanks to the phenomenal effort, courage, bravery, and professionalism shown by all the officers. “I couldn’t speak at first, as a team it was something pretty special. I think we’ve all said like anyone else would say, anyone would do the same in that situation but we’re proud of ourselves,” said PC Taylor Gregson after receiving the award.
REGION 1
WINNER LANCASHIRE
PC Katherine Maxwell added: “It was a bit of a tough day, it’s sad when you’re dealing with tragedy, but it’s just the teamwork that’s great about policing, you all know what to do and even if you don’t get the outcome you hope for it is fantastic to be part of the team.” Rachel Hanley, Chair of Lancashire
Police Federation, said: “These officers showed immense courage and bravery by entering the water. We all are rightly proud of them; they represent the very best of Lancashire Constabulary.” Lancashire Constabulary Chief
Constable Chris Rowley said: “These officers showed extreme bravery in very challenging circumstances. They put themselves at risk to try and save the life of another person and have shown the true spirit of public service and the utmost professionalism. They should be extremely proud of their actions.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
