Lorry driver receives bravery award for life-saving actions

Julie Kenwell • Published 8 Oct 2012 16:30

THE driver of a milk tanker who saved the lives of two men when he used his load to douse flames at a road traffic collision has received a prestigious bravery award.

Despite the risk to his own life, Michael Coyle manoeuvred his milk tanker into position in an attempt to extinguish the flames caused after a road traffic collision (RTC) occurred in April last year at Derrylin.

Two men were trapped in a car that subsequently caught fire in the RTC. 

The car had lost control, collided with a telegraph pole bringing it down, causing live wires to fall into the road, before crashing into the lorry which Mr Coyle was driving. 

But thanks to Mr Coyle's quick-thinking the flames were kept under control for a period of approximately 15 minutes and then extinguished before the arrival of Fire & Rescue, Ambulance and Police. 

For his act of bravery Mr Coyle received Royal Humane Society testimonial on vellum, presented to him by Lord Brookeborough at the local Bravery Awards. 

Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Laurie Nicholson, who is part of the F District Public Protection Unit, and Fermanagh South Neighbourhood Policing Team has been short listed for the PSNI's annual Policing with the Community Awards.

He is up against 16 other nominees from across the province.

The results will be revealed this Friday (October 12).

Detective Sergeant Laurie Nicholson has 17 years' experience in the police service and has been attached to the Public Protection Unit based in Omagh for the past five years, covering Omagh and Fermanagh.  His role includes investigating allegations of abuse and assisting in the management of offenders on their release from prison.

Fermanagh South Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) will also be keeping their fingers crossed for a win in their category.

They have been nominated for their commitment, interest and enthusiasm in building trust, confidence and respect within their local areas.  The team were winners in the category in 2011.

For a full report on these achievements see Thursday's Impartial Reporter

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 08 Oct 12

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