04.11.2008

Award for fireman

The fire-fighter who led the rescue of the tower crane operator whose crane collapsed on the Croydon Park Hotel has received a bravery award which he has dedicated to his colleagues.

Michael Atkinson, of Croydon fire station's blue watch, has been awarded a Fire Brigade Special Achievement Award for his determination to rescue the crane driver and three other workmen trapped when the crane’s superstructure parted company with its tower, during a climbing operation in June last year.
Click here to see photo report on the accident
The driver was left suspended in his cab over the side of the hotel 40 metres above the ground. Atkinson used line rescue, a relatively new technique at the time, to move along the crane’s jib to reach the injured driver.

After giving him first aid and strapping him into a rescue harness, Atkinson attached them both to the hook of an adjacent crane which lowered them to safety. Other firemen were on hand to talk the other three stranded riggers through the process of securing themselves to rescue lines.

Receiving the award at the Lords cricket ground last Thursday, Atkinson said: "I am very happy to receive this award and dedicate it to the hard work and training of Croydon's Fire Rescue Unit."

His crew manager Chris Trayling had nominated for the award and said: "Michael deserves special merit for his actions. He showed courage and determination over and above the normal call of duty."