A courageous team of officers from Thames Valley Police has been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2024 following their remarkable efforts to rescue a casualty and residents from a devastating gas explosion and fire.
In the early hours of January 2, 2021, Thames Valley Police received a distressing call reporting a caravan fire that had escalated into an explosion. Responding swiftly despite the exhaustion of their 12-hour late shift, every available officer from Team 2 raced to the scene.
Upon arrival, they were met with a scene of chaos and danger. Flames engulfed the caravan, spreading rapidly and threatening nearby properties. Despite the escalating danger, the officers sprang into action, prioritizing the safety of residents and the rescue of the casualty.
PCs Alex Moore, Dominic Spear, and Adam Price were among the first responders to arrive. With flames towering around them, they bravely entered the fray, guiding bewildered residents to safety and locating a casualty perilously close to the fire. Without hesitation, they risked their lives to carry the individual to safety.
As the situation intensified, additional officers, including PC Rachel Walsh, PC Reece Stansbury, and others, joined the rescue effort, ensuring the safe evacuation of residents while administering first aid.
However, the danger escalated further when a propane gas cylinder inside the caravan exploded, unleashing a massive fireball and debris. Undeterred, the officers pressed on, fashioning a makeshift stretcher and navigating obstacles to transport the casualty to safety, all while enduring the chaos and danger of the exploding fire.
Their heroic efforts, captured on body-worn cameras, underscored their unwavering commitment to protecting the public, even at great personal risk. Despite exhaustion and the trauma of surviving the explosion, they continued their rescue efforts until the fire was brought under control.
Thames Valley Police Federation Chair Craig O’Leary commended the officers for their extraordinary courage, stating that their actions undoubtedly saved lives. Chief Constable Jason Hogg praised their selfless bravery, emphasizing their dedication to safeguarding the community.
The nomination for the Police Bravery Awards 2024 stands as a testament to the officers’ remarkable courage and unwavering commitment to duty, reflecting the highest ideals of Thames Valley Police and the policing profession as a whole.
