PC Daniel Burdett is set to receive the rarely-awarded Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal after going on to the live railway at Prittlewell Station, as he spotted a man lying on the tracks with multiple serious injuries.
He was waiting to catch a train to work in Stratford, where he is based, when he saw a train had stopped and an injured man was on the line.
The man’s right leg had been severed below the knee along with multiple other injuries, and he was bleeding profusely.
Secretary – Andrew Champan (Image: Royal Humane Society)
Although he was aware the track was still live, PC Burdett jumped into action and tried to use the man’s belt as a tourniquet to stem the bleeding. When this did not work, he used shoe laces instead to stem the bleeding.
PC Burdett stayed with the man, putting pressure on his make-shift tourniquet until an ambulance arrived. Hospital doctors later praised the off-duty officer and said it was only his quick-thinking which had saved the man’s life.
The award of his medal has been personally approved by Princess Alexandra, president of the Royale Humane Society.
Andrew Chapman, secretary of the society, said: “What PC Burdett did was truly remarkable. It was a horrific incident and a near-miracle the man was still breathing when PC Burdett reached him, given the extent of his injuries.
“However, PC Burdett stayed calm and realised that the most important thing was to stem the man’s bleeding.”
“He did an incredible job, all this time working on a live railway track, and is a true hero,“ he added.
“He richly deserves the medal he is to receive, which is an award only given to the bravest of the brave.”
PC Burdett was also praised by Essex Freemasons last summer for his actions. He is the senior deacon of Prittlewell Lodge which meets at Saxon Hall, the Southend Masonic Centre.
Other than awards made by the Crown, the Royal Humane Society is the premier national body for honouring bravery in the saving of human life.