Crew manager Dru Lunney and firefighter Craig Haines – Uniformed Hero nomination

Crew manager Dru Lunney and firefighter Craig Haines – Uniformed Hero nomination

Firefighters helped to save the life of a 13-year-old found in distress on a railway bridge.

Crew manager Dru Lunney and firefighter Craig Haines from orange watch at Longton Fire station have been thanked by police and have received a Chief Fire Officer Commendation in recognition of their actions on February 28.

They have now been nominated in the Uniformed Hero category of the Your Heroes Awards by the senior team at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

They were driving past a railway bridge in Stone when they saw a teenager sitting with his legs hanging over the track side of the bridge.

Concerned that stopping their fire and rescue service vehicle directly beside him might startle him and cause him to fall, they made the decision to park a short distance away and approach on foot.

At the same time, a passing member of the public was able to pull the 13-year-old back to safety from the bridge.

Dru and Craig remained with the teenager until police arrived. They were able to gain his trust and obtain initial information which they shared with police officers when they arrived the scene.

A police officer who attended the incident said: “The rapport they established ensured he stayed with them and felt safe until he could be taken into appropriate care.

“I am genuinely grateful for their swift, compassionate and professional actions, which undoubtedly contributed to preventing what could have been a tragic outcome.”