Local heroes

WILL PURKISS

WHEN 15-year-old Will Purkis saw a woman plunge from a bridge into a Hampshire river, he did not think twice.

He dashed down to the riverbank, stripped to his underwear and dived into the water to rescue her.

Now the teenager has been hailed a hero after saving the woman from drowning in the River Hamble.

Will, a pupil at Brookfield Community School in Sarisbury Green, was praised by family, friends and the police for using lifesaving skills he learned as a youngster when he saw the woman topple off Bursledon Bridge.

He said: "I was on my way to a rugby match when my dad noticed a woman on the bridge as we drove passed. We stopped and saw her go in.

"I tried to dial 999 on my mobile but I heard the police sirens coming so I went down to the bank under the bridge, took off my shirt, shoes and shorts and went in. I just thought to myself that I had to get her out, that's why I did it."

Will struggled to help the woman, who was face down in the water, to the riverbank where his friend, Fian Dwyer Parker, was waiting with PC Simon Clacey.

Both of them helped the woman out before hauling Will, who has a rookie lifesaver qualification, from the water.

Mum Mandy Purkis, of Lower Swanwick Lane, Swanwick, said: "We are extremely proud of Will and happy that the lifeguard course he took several years ago has stood him in good stead."

HOWARD MIELL

HEROIC New Forest PC Howard Miell was commended for two selfless acts that occurred in the same week.

Terrified motorists on one of Hampshire's busiest roads were forced to swerve as a drunken man pretended to shoot at them with a fake firearm.

Jason Hall - who flipped after a domestic row with his mum - fired imaginary shots at car occupants on a dual carriageway for 15 minutes.

It took the bravery of a policeman to bring the 999 street drama near Southampton to an end without anyone being hurt.

PC Howard Miell - who had no idea that Hall's firearm wasn't real - put his life on the line to protect the public.

He confronted Hall and repeatedly urged him to put the weapon down.

At one point the unarmed officer had the firearm levelled at his face.

Then ex-convict Hall suddenly pointed the weapon - a gun-shaped cigarette lighter - inside his own mouth and threatened to kill himself.

PC Miell, who has been commended for bravery by a judge, successfully talked 21-year-old Hall out of more trouble. Hall threw down the weapon, begging not to be imprisoned.

In his second act of bravery, PC Miell prevented a major car accident as a Russian woman drove the wrong way on a busy Hampshire road.

Magistrates were told how he stepped out on to the westbound carriageway of the A31 on October 20 - seven days after the gun incident - to stop motorists hitting a car driven by a Russian woman.

Prosecutor Tracey Dales explained that the Lyndhurst based patrolman was heading up the Malwood Hill West stretch of the A31 - the continuation westwards of the M27 motorway - when he saw a car coming head-on towards his vehicle.

Giving evidence, PC Miell explained how he stopped sharply and pulled into the Minstead turning, putting all his warning lights on, before running into the road to stop the traffic.

ROBERT COLE

SHE doesn't know it, but she owes him her life. Amy McGailey was brought back from the brink of death by firefighter Robert Cole in the aftermath of an arson attack last year.

The hero ended up in hospital when he gave the six-month-old the kiss of life after carrying her out of a blazing block of flats.

The Daily Echo has reunited the youngster with her saviour as it was announced he had been awarded a top lifesaving honours.

Leading firefighter Cole, 25, of Drake Road, Bishopstoke, is to receive a resuscitation certificate from the Royal Humane Society for rescuing and reviving Amy in the early hours of September 22.

Nine residents were rescued during a 2am blaze in the stairwell of a block of eight flats in Winchfield Close, Weston. Police said they believed the blaze started when an intruder set fire to pushchairs at the foot of the stairs.

Leading firefighter Cole ended up in hospital suffering from smoke inhalation following the rescue operation but the unassuming hero said of his award: "I'm amazed. It's what we had to do. It's part of the job."

The Humane Society citation said that, during the multiple rescue, Robert discovered Amy had stopped breathing. He began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, succeeded in starting her breathing almost immediately, and then led the family on to a balcony, where there was a ladder, and handed over the child to a colleague.

Speaking at the society's London headquarters, Major General Christopher Tyler, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: "While it would have been understandable for all his concentration to be on getting this family clear from a smoke-filled room, Mr Cole noticed Amy had stopped breathing and, without hesitation, put into practice his resuscitation training. His attention to detail bought him those precious seconds that can prove vital in situations like this, and I have little doubt he averted tragedy with his actions. I know Amy's family, and the girl herself when she grows older, will be eternally grateful to Mr Cole, and I hope this award goes some way to expressing that gratitude."

Amy's mum, Clare McGailey, said: "I will be eternally grateful. The firefighters were on the ball and calm."

Do you know a lifesaver? Now you can nominate them for a top award:

The Life Savers Awards from Vodafone are a unique search for inspiring stories of men and women whose courage and bravery has saved the life of another.

The Southern Daily Echo is proudly joining forces with Vodafone to honour our own region's lifesavers. Our top story will automatically win a place on the national shortlist with the opportunity of becoming one of ten National Life Savers.

The Life Savers Awards are supported by Vodafone in recognition of the vital role mobile phone calls can play when minutes matter.

So, if you know someone who has saved a life, we want you to share your story with other Southern Daily Echo readers - and you could win a fabulous prize.

HOW TO ENTER:

Tell us, in no more than 500 words, why you believe your nomination should be considered. Don't forget to include the name of the rescuer and the people saved plus your daytime telephone number. Send your nomination to Kate Thompson, woman & lifestyle editor, Southern Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Southampton SO16 9JX. All entries must be received by Friday, July 4.