A policeman who jumped onto rail tracks to pull a man to safety as a train headed into the station has been awarded for his bravery.

Met sergeant Jeremy Roach was among the unsung heroes who were awarded for going the extra mile for the community in Waltham Forest at the annual Love Your Borough Awards, last week.

PS Roach was waiting for a train at South Woodford Station in August 2014 when he heard a man screaming.

Looking along the platform he saw a man lying on the track shaking violently as the train headed into the platform at speed.

The sergeant ran down the platform and jumped onto the track before hoisting the man onto the platform with the help of a member of the public.

After calling an ambulance the man fully recovered.

The Uniformed Service Hero Award was shared with PC Joe Stone, PC Dan Wade and APS Leon McCallister, who were first on the scene of a serious accident in Chingford Lane on Boxing Day 2014 in which a woman had become trapped under her car.

 

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Police officers awarded for extraordinary acts of bravery in Waltham Forest, last year

 

The officers commandeered vehicles and used tow ropes to lift the car and get the woman to safety, before carrying out CPR until an ambulance crew arrived.

While this was happening, the woman’s twin sister, who was also at the scene, went into labour, and also had to be taken to hospital - where she later gave birth to a baby boy.

After receiving his award, APS McCallister said: "It's an honour for us to win such an award, and I would like to thank the local residents of Waltham Forest who assisted us on the day.”

This year, the Council received more than 180 nominations for the awards, now in its sixth year.

Winners were announced at a ceremony in Walthamstow Assembly Hall on Friday April 10, during which many inspirational and heart-warming stories were shared with hundreds of guests.

The Leader of the Council’s Individual Award went to Hibo Wardere who came to Britain after fleeing civil conflict in Kenya.

Arriving in London as an 18 year old speaking no English was tough but Hibo seized the opportunity to build a life for herself.

She has dedicated herself to educating people – men and women of all backgrounds – about the impact of Female Genital Mutation.

Hibo said: “I’m truly, truly blessed to be living here, I love it. My heart and my soul are in Waltham Forest.

“This is the most special award I will get in life whatever else comes because this means the people here love, support and respect what I do. I just want to say thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

 

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

John Davis with FGM campaigner Hibo Wardere at the Love Your Borough Awards

The Love Your Borough Awards was funded by sponsors, enabling the community celebration to be held without placing a burden on council tax payers.

Sponsors included Circle Housing, NPS Group, Urbaser Ltd, The Mall, Riney, Bellway and Kelway, among others.