EK cops honoured with bravery award

Dec 5 2012 by Andrea O'Neill, East Kilbride News

Two quick-thinking East Kilbride cops have been honoured for their bravery after pulling a man from the River Clyde.

PC Matt McCabe and Sergeant Peter Lee were awarded Chief Constable Commendations for their courageous efforts in saving a suicidal Lanarkshire man in May, last year.

The local community safety officers, who are both born and bred in East Kilbride, were given recognition for the heroic part they played during a high pressure, eight-man rescue operation in the Cambuslang area, while they were based at Rutherglen Police Station.

PC McCabe and Sergeant Lee, former pupils of St.Bride’s High, pulled the vulnerable man from the Clyde and resuscitated him after an attempted suicide from a bridge.

The brave officers put their own lives on the line to ensure the man’s survival.

PC McCabe told the News: “This was a situation where all officers involved worked together and everything went right.

“Officers made decisions under extreme pressure which, thankfully, resulted in a man’s life being saved.

“We just did something humane to help somebody in trouble.

“It’s nice to be recognised for good work.”

PC McCabe and Sergeant Lee were presented with a certificate of bravery from Acting Strathclyde Police Chief Constable Campbell Corrigan at Jackton Police College last month.

The brave duo recommend all members of the public learn life-saving first aid and CPR skills.