Top award for human fireball rescue attempt
ROAD GRITTER WHO TRIED TO SAVE MAN ON FIRE TO BE GIVEN HERO COMMENDATION
A ROAD gritter who raced to help after a man was engulfed by a fireball is being given an award for his heroics.
Valery Cretol, 43, from Heywood, was on duty in Harpurhey earlier this year when he noticed a large fire ball opposite his truck.
He spotted the image from his dash cam and instantly realised something was wrong.
He soon realised a man was on fire, and without a thought for his own safety, raced to help him.
Valery rolled the man, who was engulfed in flames, on the floor and managed to put out the fire.
He went on to flag down two passers by for help, before emergency crews arrived on the scene. Sadly, the man later died, but Valery is now set to be honoured for his act of bravery.
Valery said: “At first, I thought it was a bin on fire but, after looking a bit closer, I could tell what was happening and instinct took over.”
Valery will be presented with the Chief Constable’s Citizens Commendation later this month, at a ceremony at GMP’s Hough End Complex.
Deputy chief constable Ian Pilling, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “First of all I would like to send my sincerest condolences to the family of the man who died under the most tragic of circumstances.
“Acts like Valery’s should not go unrecognised as this man has shown real bravery in an attempt to save another – a lesson that we can all learn from.”
Sergeant Glen Rees, who nominated Valery, said: “His brave actions at the scene would have given the man the very best hope for survival.”
Valery added “I surprised myself but at the end of the day you help because you want to.
“It’s human nature and I know I would have been devastated had I not been able to assist as I did.
“It is nice to be rewarded as I know that some people would just walk away, however, I’ve not done this for recognition, at the time it was all about the instinct that took over.”
The prestigious award is given to members of the public in recognition of outstanding bravery.
Previous recipients include dad Lee Paul, who risked his life to stop a young woman plunging from a motorway bridge on the M61 last year.
Zoe Brown, from Brooklands, was also given the award last year, after protecting her partner and their neighbour from a knife-wielding attacker.