Heroic police officers were burnt trying to save Leicester City helicopter crash victims

[davieG]

They have been honoured for their bravery

ByCiaran FaganCrime Correspondent
04:00, 26 JUN 2019

Heroes: (left to right) Pc Kevin Marsh, Pc Michael Hinton, Pc Steve Quartermain, Sgt Mike Hooper (Image: Leicestershire Police Federation)

Four police officers who risked their lives at the scene of the King Power Stadium helicopter crash have been nominated for a national bravery award.

Pc Steve Quartermain, Pc Kevin Marsh, Pc Michael Hinton and Sgt Mike Hooper all suffered burns as they tried in vain to rescue the five occupants of the helicopter.

They were first on the scene after the aircraft fell from the sky and burst into flames shortly after taking off from the stadium on the evening of Saturday, October 27.

They were unable to save the five people inside - club owner and chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, two of his staff, the pilot and another crew member.

The National Police Bravery awards are held by the Police Federation of England and Wales and honour officers who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.

The four Leicestershire Police officers spoke today after they learned of their nominations.

Sgt Hooper said: “The day started as any other day does – we were there to police a football match.

"What we faced by the end of the evening was something that we wouldn’t have expected.

“It was extraordinary circumstances and something that no police officer would ever want to face in their entire career.

"We only acted instinctively how any other police officer across the country would have reacted.

“We were just doing our job.

"We have had to come to terms with the fact that we couldn’t save the five victims.”

Pc Marsh said: “I’ve never really thought about what I actually did that evening but placed in that situation would I do the exact same thing again? Yes, I would.”

Flowers laid outside the King Power Stadium (Image: Will Johnston Photography)
Pc Quartermain said: “It’s a real honour to have been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards.

"I think being nominated probably represents the actions that we took on that night but also the actions of the other officers who were exceptional in managing the operation and recovering everything else afterwards, as well.”

Pc Hinton said: “To be nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards is overwhelming and really honouring.

“I feel really proud to have been nominated and to represent Leicestershire Police.”

Dave Stokes, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, said: “Our four officers acted with real bravery, rushing towards the crashed helicopter.

"In the blink of an eye, they risked their own lives in an attempt to get to the occupants.

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha acknowledges the fans during a lap of the pitch after the Premier League match between Leicester City and Bournemouth (Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
“Sadly it wasn’t with a better outcome and our thoughts remain with the loved ones of those who lost their lives that night.

“When the officers were told Leicestershire Police Federation had nominated them for The National Police Bravery Awards, they became emotional and said, ‘yes we risked our lives in an attempt to save those five people in the helicopter, but isn’t that just what we do?’

k
 
A silence is observed in memory of Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and Burnley at The King Power Stadium
City 'honoured Vichai's memory'
“They should be incredibly proud of their courageous actions that night.”

The event – the 24th National Police Bravery Awards  –  is sponsored by Police Mutual.

John Perks, chief executive officer of Police Mutual, said: “Police Mutual is very proud to be supporting the Police Bravery Awards for the 11th consecutive year.

"My colleagues and I are deeply honoured to be able to show our appreciation for police officers’ bravery in keeping us safe.”

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/heroic-police-officers-were-burnt-3019055

[TheUltimateWinner]

Just doing the job they do makes them true heroes. 

Edited 26 June 2019 by TheUltimateWinner

[Jacnah]

The Police "Service" can drive you mad at times - moronic would be far to polite a reference on occasions. However,  distinguishing the individuals from the 'system' we are yet again reminded that individual officers are frequently incredibly professional, brave, compassionate and caring.

 

Bravo chaps.

[Guest Markyblue]

The police are like every cross section of society good bad and everything in between.  These men risked their lifes to save others , no words are needed.

[Out Foxed]

8 hours ago, Markyblue said:

The police are like every cross section of society good bad and everything in between.  These men risked their lifes to save others , no words are needed.

Not really, as the police are in a unique position of power the average person doesn’t have and should be held to a higher standard; so a bad copper is way worse than a bad civvy. But that’s a discussion for another thread.

 

respect for their efforts

Edited 26 June 2019 by Out Foxed

[LinekersLugs]

Never met a bad copper 

 

nearly everyone I have met who moans about the coppers are bad people 

 

well done lads 

[Danizen]

11 hours ago, LinekersLugs said:

Never met a bad copper 

 

nearly everyone I have met who moans about the coppers are bad people 

 

well done lads 

Met one or two but the vast majority are polite and respectful (as long as you are with them).

 

I saw a video on FB the other day where a guy was kicking off about being stopped and refusing to give his details or ID. The police were in the area because someone matching his description was trying car doors. He was being a right **** and turned a 5 minute thing into a 20 minute long argument. Then posted it on FB expecting sympathy. 

[Jattdogg]

Tough circumstances to be in but they did all they could and thats good on them. Hope they are okay physically and emotionally as thats a shit thing to see up  close.  

[Wymsey]

They miss out on the award.

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/heroic-police-officers-who-tried-3113657

[foxile5]

Fair play. 

 

 

[WigstonWanderer]

Was the cause of the crash ever confirmed?

[Wymsey]

8 minutes ago, WigstonWanderer said:

Was the cause of the crash ever confirmed?

Not sure, but doesn't plane/helicopter crash investigations take up to a year in some cases?

 

Edit: Had tried to Google an answer to how long helicopter crash investigations can take, and a Wiki page about the incident was shown in the results and gave the cause as:

 

'The Air Accidents Investigation Branch attributed the crash to a loss of yaw control owing to a failure of the tail rotor control linkage.^[4][5][6]'

Edited 19 July 2019 by Wymeswold fox

[WigstonWanderer]

14 minutes ago, Wymeswold fox said:

Not sure, but doesn't plane/helicopter crash investigations take up to a year in some cases?

 

Edit: Had tried to Google an answer to how long helicopter crash investigations can take, and a Wiki page about the incident was shown in the results and gave the cause as:

 

'The Air Accidents Investigation Branch attributed the crash to a loss of yaw control owing to a failure of the tail rotor control linkage.^[4][5][6]'

I imagine there’ll be an episode of Air Crash Investigation eventually.