AN Ivybridge firefighter and a member of the public who risked his own life to save an elderly couple trapped in flood water have been recognised by the fire service.
Gary Brewer was recognised for his bravery during a potentially deadly flooding incident that occurred between Venton and Sparkwell on December 30 last year.
Elderly couple Joanne Pool and Ralph Land had become trapped in their car after driving into rapidly rising flood water. Gary happened upon the incident and, without thought for his own safety, entered the water to check on the couple.
The water had risen to such a level the car doors could not be opened, so Gary, assisted by another member of the public, broke the passenger door window to gain access. One occupant was then rescued through the window before Gary rescued the driver via the boot of the car, and led him to safety.
A spokesman for the fire service said: ’In breaking the passenger door window with a stone, Gary sustained injuries to his hand from the glass and was in real danger of drowning. But due to his selfless and courageous action, he saved the lives of two people that day.’
Alan Lake was answering a co-responder call, when firefighters are asked to attend medical emergencies while an ambulance is dispatched, on July 15 this year involving a very young baby who had been born prematurely and was not breathing.
On arrival at the incident, he saw that the two-week-old baby was not breathing and immediately began to use resuscitation techniques. Through his intervention, the baby began to breathe again and was stabilised by the time the ambulance crew arrived.
The spokesman said: ’It is evident that Alan dealt with this distressing incident, which he attended as a lone co-responder, in a calm and professional manner, undoubtedly saving the life of the baby.’