Hero firefighter honoured for saving man’s life

10:39am Tuesday 20th May 2008

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A hero Croydon firefighter has won a bravery award for helping to save a severely burned building site worker from certain death.

Mark Hewitt rescued the site foreman from a burning pit of oil that set alight when a 33,000-volt power cable was severed.

�I was quite surprised. I didn�t think I�d get an award for helping someone. I would help anyone in that situation.�

Mark Hewitt

David Tugwell survived electrocution when his hacksaw snapped in half, breaking the power circuit. He had been working in an 8ft hole partially filled with diesel in Chadwell Heath, Essex.

The 22-year-old hero and another firefighter from Kent, Kevin Lloyd, feared the worst as the pit that Mr Tugwell had been working in was engulfed in fire. As the fire subsided the two men saw Mr Tugwell, arms outstretched, desperately calling for help.

With no regard for their own safety the men bravely pulled him from the flames.

After dragging him clear and bringing the inferno under control, the pair began to administer first aid.

Medics arrived shortly afterwards and Mr Tugwell was taken to hospital where he received treatment for extensive burns.

After picking up a Royal Humane Society award a modest Mr Hewitt said: "I was quite surprised. I didn't think I'd get an award for helping someone. I would help anyone in that situation."

The two men were nominated for the award by former policeman Vince Fuller, of Croydon, who witnessed the accident.

Dick Wilkinson, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: "Mark Hewitt and Kevin Lloyd put themselves at enormous risk to help a colleague who suddenly found himself in extreme danger."