QUICK THINKING LIFE-SAVING ACTIONS COMMENDED
On Thursday 3 November 2016, a typical cold winter’s evening, Bob Yale decided to visit his local fishing lake at Boundary Farm, Orton on the Hill
At around 15:50 and with the light fading, Bob began to assemble his fishing gear at the edge of the lake when without warning, he lost his footing, slipped and fell head first into the fishing lake rendering him unconscious.
Luckily for Bob he was not alone at the fishing lake that evening. Another keen fisherman and friend, Cyril Bates, had already set-up his fishing gear and settled in on the opposite side of the lake. Hearing the splash, Cyril, noticed that Bob had suddenly disappeared from his line of vision. Racing around the lake he desperately began to search for Bob, repeatedly calling out his name whilst checking along the banks.
After what felt like hours, Cyril spotted that Bob had become caught up in the lakes vegetation. Jumping into the lake and dragging Bob back towards the bank, he managed to drag Bob onto the verge and raced off to his car to try and find something that he could use to secure Bob until help could be arranged.
Managing to locate a tow rope in his car, Cyril ran back to Bob and used the rope to secure Bob to a small tree. With no mobile signal and with Bob starting to regain consciousness, Cyril knew he would have to leave Bob to get help. Reassuring Bob he would be as quick as he could, he raced off towards his car to get the help he needed.
Cyril jumped into his car, drove to the first farm house he came across and instructed the owner to call the emergency services immediately. Whilst the owner did this, Cyril enlisted the help of the farm owner’s two granddaughters. Cyril instructed one to stand at the entrance to the fishing lake to flag down the attending services and the second was taken closer to Bob’s location to guide the emergency services towards the lake. Cyril returned to Bob’s side and reassured him, help was on the way.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service’s Fire Control received a call from Leicestershire Police asking for assistance. Due to its close proximity, a pump from Atherstone (Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Services) was dispatched, along with our Technical Rescue team from Southern Fire and Rescue Station.
The attending crew from Atherstone, Bravo Watch, rescued Bob and administered first aid until the arrival of EMAS. Southern Fire and Rescue Station’s Technical Rescue crew stood down as they were no longer required.
Thanks to Cyril’s quick thinking and what can only be described as ‘life saving actions’, Bob was rushed to Walsgrave Hospital where he received further treatment and made a full recovery.
Leicester Fire and Rescue Services felt it was fitting to commend Cyril for his actions. A presentation was held at Hinckley Fire and Rescue Station where Cyril was awarded with the Chief Fire and Rescue Officer Certificate of Commendation by Steve Lunn.
A buffet was also provided for their enjoyment and they were given the opportunity to take a tour of the fire and rescue station and met the duty fire crew.
Steve Lunn, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, said: “Although we always advocate calling the emergency services to deal with a situation like this, undoubtedly, Cyril’s quick thinking under pressure and his subsequent actions until the fire and rescue service arrived, helped save Bob’s life and should therefore be commended.”
ENDS
Notes to editor
A selection of images are available on request from Corporate Communications via the details below.
About the Service
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.
The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last ten years, fire related incidents have reduced by 46 percent.
During 2015/16, the Service attended 666 road traffic collisions, of which 174 were extrications freeing 208 people trapped inside their vehicles and completed 5086 home fire safety checks, fitting almost 4481 smoke alarms. Staff organised or supported almost 1431 events aimed at promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, whilst also visiting 332 schools to deliver fire and road safety education to pupils.
Contact:
Dominic Halliday
Communications and Digital Media Administrator
0116 2292178
dominic.halliday@lfrs.org
