Awards for eight who helped save Worthing girl Lucy Yates
EIGHT bystanders who went to the aid of a young woman during an horrific knife attack have been recognised for their heroism.
As they were presented with Police Public Bravery Awards, each said that it was the 21-year-old victim, and not themselves, who deserved to be called a hero.
Lucy Yates, who had moved to Littlehampton from Worthing just days before, was stabbed more than 20 times by schizophrenic Samuel Reid-Wentworth in Somerfield, Anchor Springs, Littlehampton, on September 16.
Lewes Crown Court was later told she would almost certainly have died, if it had not been for the actions of staff and shoppers on the day.
Honoured for bravery
Kirk Ward, a Somerfield security guard, supervisor Janet Sharrod, cashier Eric Standing, manager Duncan Todd, shoppers Bonnie Brown, Alexis Warne and Bob Apps, and trader Ivor Holland, who responded to a ShopWatch emergency call, were honoured at a ceremony held at Arun Civic Centre, Littlehampton, on Tuesday, July 28.
Lucy suffered two collapsed lungs, a punctured liver and severe spinal damage in the attack, and spent nearly two months in hospital.
She said: "I can't really put into words how grateful I am to these extraordinary people, who put their own lives at risk to help me, a stranger.
"They are absolutely amazing. I feel choked up, it is so overwhelming."
First-hand accounts
Click here to read Janet Sharrod describe how she and Kird Ward's tackled Lucy's attacker.
Click here to read Bonnie Brown describe what she saw and did during the attack.
Click here to read Bob Apps describe how he confronted Lucy's attacker.
Click here to read how Ivor Holland responded to the calls for help.
Click here to read how Alexis Warne rushed to Lucy's aid.
Testament to Littlehampton
Lucy's dad, Hugh, was also at the ceremony, and said the attack could have happened anywhere.
"That it happened in Littlehampton is not a black mark against the town.
"But that so many people came to my daughter's aid is testament to the town.
"It was a horrific thing to have happened, and I hope these people can get on with their lives.
"We never thought she was going to die, we always knew that Lucy could get through this. We are so proud of her."
Deserving praise
The awards are part of a national scheme, which recognises outstanding incidents of public bravery, and Chief Constable of Sussex Martin Richards, who presented the awards, said that each of Tuesday's recipients thoroughly deserved the accolade.
"They may say that they did what anyone would have, but the fact is that some people don't do what they did."
Reid-Wentworth pleaded guilty to attempted murder in January, and was sent to Broadmoor indefinitely.
Read news stories written at the time of the attack and about Reid Wentworth's court appearances, by clicking here.
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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