The exceptional achievements of locals was recognised at the Chief Constable’s Annual Awards Ceremony this week.
The event was attended by distinguished guests, the Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Jane Poole-Wilson MHK.
The annual ceremony serves to honour exceptional achievements across various categories, celebrating long service, academic excellence, acts of courage, determination, and outstanding performance.
Courage and Bravery
Chief Constable’s Commendation presented by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor to: Ryan Coates for Courage and Bravery.
On Tuesday, May 14, a young adult female was on a bus travelling from Port Erin when she was approached by a heavily intoxicated 38-year-old male who was unknown to her. This male proceeded to sexually assault this young female in broad daylight.
Mr Coates, who was also travelling on the bus, supported this female, encouraging her to exit the bus at the next stop with him to get away from the male, despite him needing to travel to Douglas. He then escorted her to a nearby bar to await Police. The intoxicated male followed them and there is no doubt, had Mr Coates left the female to fend for herself, the male would have attempted to commit further offences.
During the sentencing of the individual, Deemster Cook highlighted the brave actions of Mr Coates and fully supported an application for a police Commendation.
Saving a Life
Chief Constables Commendation & Royal Hume Society resuscitation certificate presented by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor to: Constable Timothy Downward for Saving a Life.
An assistance call was made by the joint control room for a male who required immediate medical attention at the Bowling Green Café in Peel because the responding ambulance was some distance away.
Constable Downward was first on scene and after an initial assessment of the unresponsive male, Constable Downward commenced CPR and connected the patient to a defibrillator from his patrol car, subsequently delivering a number of shocks to the man. The ambulance team arrived approximately eight minutes later and transported the patient to Noble’s Hospital Isle of Man.
One of the paramedics later informed the police that the quick actions of Constable Downward had saved the patient’s life. The patient went on to recover from his medical emergency.
Life Savers
Chief Constables Commendation presented by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor to: Alfie and Andrew Jones, Emma Clarke, Sergeant Christopher Beaumont, Constable Aaron Bibby and Constable Nicholas Collings, for saving a life.
On Saturday, June 1, a report came in to the Emergency Services Joint Control Room that a motorcycle had hit a car head on at Mount Rule on the back road to Crosby.
The rider had been thrown through the air and upon landing had severed a leg just above the knee causing a life threatening bleed. Nearby neighbours Alfie and Andy Jones immediately rushed to the scene and applied a make-shift tourniquet to stem the bleeding. Upon arrival of Sgt Chris Beaumont and Constables Nick Collings and Aaron Bibby, the rider’s condition deteriorated and with the assistance of Emma Clarke, a witness with medical background, CPR commenced with everyone helping to save the riders life until the arrival of Paramedics.
The rider was subsequently taken to Nobles Hospital where he was stabilised and then flown to the UK. Following further treatment to a bleed on the brain and punctured lung the rider was flown back to Germany to his family, where he continues his recovery from the incident.
Without the quick thinking actions of all on scene the male rider would not have survived the catastrophic injuries he received.
Achievements
The R. K. EASON TROPHY presented by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor to Retired Superintendent Phil Drowley.
Phil has climbed mountains worldwide, notably completing the “seven summits” challenge in November 2013, which involves summiting the highest peak on each continent.
His journey began with Denali in Alaska (2004) and Cho Oyu in Tibet (2005). After an unsuccessful Everest attempt in 2006, he summited Mount Elbrus in Russia (2007) and became the first climber from the Isle of Man to reach Everest’s summit in 2008.
In 2010, he climbed Mount Vinson in Antarctica and, in 2013, conquered Carstenz Pyramid in Papua New Guinea. To address disputes over Australasia’s definition, he also summited Mount Kosciuszko in Australia.
By the end of 2013, only 130 people had completed all eight summits. As he climbed Phil also raised thousands of pounds for Ronald McDonald House Isle of Man Family and Friends a charity. Many Manx Families have benefitted from the charity.
Phil has used his experience of his adventures to provide talks to island community groups and to schools to encourage others to follow their dreams because you can be successful.
Phil carried and flew a Manx flag on each of the summits, which the island’s Chief Minister at the time had presented to him, he returned this flag to the Isle of Man Government and it is displayed within the Tynwald buildings.
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