A trio of officers from West Mercia Police has been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2024 in recognition of their courageous and swift actions in rescuing a woman from her sinking car in Worcestershire.
In April 2023, a woman found herself trapped in her Mini after it became submerged in a flooded Ford between Pershore and Drakes Broughton. Responding to a frantic 999 call reporting the incident, PS Shannon Murphy, PS Lee Baker, PC Thomas Simmonds, and three other officers from West Mercia Police sprang into action.
Upon arrival, they were met with a perilous scene—the car was nearly completely submerged and drifting about 10 meters downstream due to heavy rainfall causing flash flooding. Undeterred by the danger, the officers formed a human chain and waded into the water to reach the trapped woman, offering reassurance and maintaining her calm demeanour amidst the chaos.
Despite the vehicle’s electrics being disabled by the water, the officers managed to break open the driver’s side window and pull her to safety just moments before the car sank entirely.
Assessed at the scene by the West Midlands Ambulance Service, the woman remarkably did not require treatment and fully recovered from the ordeal.
Steve Butler, Chair of the West Mercia Police Federation, commended the officers for their impeccable teamwork and unwavering bravery. I am immensely proud of the work of our officers here,” he remarked. “The way they waded into such dangerous water to not only help the woman, but each other too, showed remarkable commitment and bravery.”
West Mercia Police Temporary Chief Constable Alex Murray also expressed pride in the team’s swift and instinctive response, emphasizing the importance of their actions in averting a potentially tragic outcome. The driver found herself in difficulty in the ford and we’re really pleased officers were able to act so swiftly and rescue her before the vehicle sank too far under the water,” he stated. I am really proud of the work of our team, they all responded quickly and instinctively working together as a team to rescue the lady.
The nomination of PS Shannon Murphy, PS Lee Baker, and PC Thomas Simmonds for the Police Bravery Awards serves as a testament to their selflessness and dedication to protecting and serving their community, embodying the highest standards of bravery and professionalism.
