An Island Police Officer has been recognised for his bravery at the National Police Bravery Awards held at the Dorchester Hotel in London last night (Tuesday).
On the 12th April last year, dog handler PC Nathan Lucy responded to a call reporting a vulnerable female had left Sevenacres in Newport and had made threats to end her own life. The woman was soon reported to have jumped into the sea from a pontoon at the Red Jet terminal in Cowes, as first reported by Island Echo.
When PC Lucy arrived at the pontoon shortly afterwards, he saw the woman being swept out to deep water and that she was struggling to keep above the surface. The officer knew that if he entered the water at this location he stood no chance of catching her, as she was being taken by a fast moving current. The officer sprinted to the next pontoon area, where the woman was approximately 40 metres from him.
Knowing that the woman – believed to be aged in her 30s – was in a confused state of mind, and that he had moments to take action to save her life, PC Lucy removed his boots and jumped into the sea.
After about 7 minutes in the water, PC Lucy got nearer the woman, and was, by now, tired from fighting the current and shouting constantly for the female to cooperate. He reached the woman and instinctively went to grab hold of her but as he did she kicked out, hitting the officer in the chest. After regaining his bearings, PC Lucy grabbed the woman’s leg and pulled her towards him, despite feeling himself weakening with trying to stay afloat in the strong current as well as physically struggling with the female.
PC Lucy then pulled the female closer to him but she grabbed his shirt and pulled him under the water. The officer swallowed a mouthful of seawater and started to choke. PC Lucy came to the surface and found that a life-ring, thrown earlier by a passing yacht, was now next to him. He grabbed it and took hold of the woman’s hair and pulled her backwards to disorientate her so she would stop fighting with him. At this point PC Lucy had lost all of his strength and was himself now at risk of drowning.
Fortunately, a member of the public started to pull on the rope attached to the life-ring, which helped him get the woman to the pontoon. As the pair were dragged back to safety, the woman became unconscious. She was dragged onto the pontoon and given lifesaving medical treatment.
Thankfully, the lady survived.
PC Lucy said:
“When the female kicked me and dragged me under the water I could feel myself getting weaker, I was at risk of drowning. I used all my available energy to get control of her and with the assistance of the member of the public pulling on the rope she was brought to safety. I couldn’t have managed without his assistance.”
John Apter, Chairman of Hampshire Police Federation, said:
“The swift, brave and selfless actions of PC Nathan Lucy saved this woman’s life. Despite the danger the officer was in himself he persisted and managed to get the woman to safety where she received lifesaving treatment. PC Lucy is a credit to the Constabulary. He is a life saver”.
Following the incident PC Lucy received a Commendation for Bravery from Hampshire Constabulary’s Chief Constable, Andy Marsh.
Chief Constable Marsh said:
“I am struck by PC Lucy’s bravery and humility. Without doubt his actions saved the life of another, I am immensely proud of him”.
At the awards ceremony last night, PC Adam Koch & PC Jean Stevens of West Midlands Police were announced as the Police Bravery winners for disarming a knifeman in a mosque. PC Winston Mugarura of the Metropolitan Police was also given a national bravery award for helping a lone man who was attacked by a gang of up to 10 assailants.
PC Nathan Lucy was presented with an award is recognition of his bravery.
