SOLIHULL Police officers PCs Ashley Green and Antony Winter have been handed a top award for their efforts in dealing with two life-threatening situations in one night.
When the pair started their shift they had no idea that the next nine hours were set to be some of the most challenging of their policing careers.
The Solihull response officers were working a night shift and within half-an-hour of starting they were responding to a 999 call reporting a suicidal man sitting on a Chelmsley Wood bridge.
As PC Green and PC Winter arrived just after 10.30pm they spotted a 38-year-old man who was clearly distressed and in need of medical assistance.
But as officers attempted to negotiate with him he perilously moved closer to the end of the ledge.
Fearing the man was going to fall the officers decided to take evasive action and pulled him to safety.
But the night’s drama was far from over.
As the end of their nine-hour shift loomed they were called to the Craig Croft shopping precinct in Dunster Road where a man had suffered a single stab wound.
Without hesitation PC Winter began to administer mouth to mouth while PC Green tried to stem blood being lost from the man’s injury.
The man was rushed to hospital but despite the best efforts of both officers died from his injuries.
Both officers were awarded a Chief Constable’s award to recognise their efforts.
PC Green said as an emergency response officer they never know what job they’ll be called to next so they have to be prepared for every eventuality.
He added: “This shift in particular was a rollercoaster of emotions.
“It started euphorically when we were able to save a man’s life, but then tragically ended with the needless loss of a man’s life despite our best efforts.”
