Constable wins bravery award for saving trapped woman from rising flood waters – Police Bravery Awards 2014 – Winner (South West Region)

October 17, 2014, 6:02 pm

A police officer who waded into rapidly rising flood waters to rescue a woman from her stranded car has won a prestigious police bravery award.

On the evening of 23 December 2013, PC Luke Gribble, from Avon and Somerset Constabulary, waded 100ft through the deep fast-flowing water in the dark to pull the woman out of the car and carry her to safety.

PC Gribble has now won the southwest region Police Bravery Award at a ceremony in central London attended by the Home Secretary, police minister Mike Penning and Met Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, among other dignitaries. He was presented with the award by Steve White, chair, Police Federation of England and Wales.

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PC Gribble had been on routine patrol with a colleague when a report came in of a car trapped in rising flood water, on an isolated country lane on the outskirts of Bristol between Doynton and Dyrham.

The officers made way to the area and saw that the car was trapped some distance away in fast flowing water from the nearby river that had burst its banks following a torrential downpour.

The driver had managed to escape with his 17-month-old baby but his wife was still trapped and the water was rising rapidly.

Unable to get the police car close and fearing the trapped car was about to submerge, PC Gribble waded through the dangerous waters to rescue the woman.

PC Gribble acted quickly on instinct, fearing for the womans life.  Without hesitation, PC Gribble waded through dangerous waters with no thought for his own safety.

Earlier in the day, PC Gribble joined 65 of his colleagues from 31 forces round the country for a reception at 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister David Cameron as a mark of recognition for his heroic acts.

PC Gribble said:  “I feel a bit unworthy.  This is amazing.  Im very proud to be here and represent people who are not here as there are people out there doing amazing things and probably dont get the recognition.”

Steve White, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: ‘I am constantly humbled and amazed by the selfless acts of bravery carried out by police officers on a day to day basis. For every act of courage and bravery recognised in the Police Bravery Awards there are hundreds more that occur in our communities every day that go unrecognised. Each nominee is a credit to the police service and to the community they serve.”

Stephen Mann, CEO, Police Mutual, said:  “Every day, police officers across the country face incredibly difficult and dangerous situations, acting with real heroism to protect the lives of others. All of the officers nominated for an award have shown great dedication to their duty and remarkable courage. Police Mutual is honoured to continue our sponsorship of the Police Bravery Awards for the sixth consecutive year and we give our sincere thanks to the men and women who keep us all safe.”