Three honoured by First Minister
A Wallyford man who assisted a police officer involved in a violent struggle was among three East Lothian residents honoured by First Minister Alex Salmond at a reception for Scotland's heroes.
Fifty Scots were commended for their courage at the first annual Brave@Heart awards ceremony held at Edinburgh Castle on June 9.
Those thanked for their actions included Wallyford man Paul Nicholson (41), 64-year-old Donald Falconer from Prestonpans and Dunbar Lifeboat Coxswain Gary Fairbairn (39).
Mr Nicholson was in his vehicle on Milton Road West, Edinburgh, when he spotted a police officer struggling to stop a man who had been involved in a robbery at a nearby business.
When he saw the struggle had become violent, he immediately intervened to assist the officer, holding the man until the police officer could handcuff him.
Courageous
Lothian and Borders Police, who nominated Mr Nicholson for his award, said he had helped to detain the man without a thought for his own safety and his actions ensured that the officer was not injured in what was becoming a violent situation.
Mr Falconer, nominated by the police for his "swift, courageous and vigilant actions," helped to prevent a tragic outcome after fire broke out in a neighbour's house.
Fearing for the safety of the elderly residents, he entered the building before the emergency services arrived, crawling through the smoke-filled house to search for the occupants.
Disabled
After finding the man semi-conscious, he managed to help him to safety, before re-entering the property to look for the man's wife. Only when he was sure there was no-one else inside did he leave the burning building.
Mr Fairbairn's nomination by the RNLI acknowledged the leading role in play in saving the lives of two people when the Dunbar Lifeboat crew was called out to assist a yacht which had been disabled by 10-metre waves and gale force winds in the Firth of Forth.
He has already received the RNLI's Bronze Medal for Gallantry in recognition of the "courage, judgement and exemplary boat handling" he demonstrated.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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