Freelance cameraman Matt Norman has been awarded the Chief Coastguard’s Commendation for his part in the rescue of a young boy.
Norman was working on a BBC documentary last August when Portland Coastguard went into action after two children were swept out to sea at Burton Bradstock in Dorset.
The Coastguard rescue helicopter, Whisky Bravo, was scrambled with Norman who was at Portland filming for a forthcoming BBC One series Danger on the Beach.
Related
At the scene, the aircrew was informed that one child had been recovered by shore-side teams. The other, a young boy, was winched on to the helicopter. Once on board the aircraft the boy was given cardio pulmonary resuscitation by a crew member. There were several people still to be rescued from the sea.
Despite being totally unprepared for such a request, Norman was asked to continue with cardio-pulmonary resuscitation on the young boy while the aircrew carried out the recovery of a man to the helicopter.
Once all were aboard the helicopter the man and boy were taken for medical treatment.
Content from our partners
Peter Dymond, head of search and rescue for the MCA, said: “The courage and presence of mind demonstrated by Matt Norman in this unexpected, traumatic situation greatly assisted the aircrew and undoubtedly kept this young boy alive until he could be passed into the care of the medical authorities.”
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
