Hero police officer’s Clifton Suspension Bridge rescue medals to be auctioned
PC Ian Standerwick was awarded the medals in 1997
A rare group of three medals awarded to a heroic police officer who risked his life saving a person standing on the edge of the Clifton Suspension Bridge is to be sold at auction.
PC Ian Standerwick eased his way on to a 1ft ledge 200ft above the Avon Gorge to reach the 37-year-old, who was swaying backwards and forwards.
The officer managed to push the person back towards the wall of the bridge support tower and stop them falling.
An official report of the incident noted: “The person was standing, swaying alarmingly backwards and forwards as if in a trance, on a one-foot ledge on the outside of the support tower of the Suspension Bridge, overhanging the gorge.
“PC Standerwick climbed over the wall onto the ledge along the side and approached cautiously.
“As he rounded the corner, he was about 4ft from the person. They began falling forward and PC Standerwick had to lunge to catch their shoulder and force them back against the wall.
“In doing this, he lost his balance and just managed to steady himself with the only handhold available, the flat but rough surface of the stonework.”
Colleague PC Steve Date was able to reach the pair from the parapet and helped rescue them both.
For his heroics on September 8 1997, the Avon and Somerset Police officer was awarded the Stanhope Gold Medal and the Royal Humane Society’s Bronze Medal, which was later upgraded to silver.
Mr Standerwick, now 57, from Portishead, North Somerset, served with the force for 15 years.
He is selling the medals at Noonans Mayfair on November 4 and they are expected to fetch up to £8,000.
“My decision has nothing to do with my children or finances, I have a very fortunate life,” the father of four said.
“My decision is based solely on knowing these medals and the memory surrounding such will go to a custodian or even custodians that will ensure my award is remembered and continues through time.”
Christopher Mellor-Hill, from Noonans Mayfair, said: “The Stanhope Gold Medal was voted as the most extraordinary lifesaving gallantry award across all the lifesaving institutions for that year and therefore is the ultimate accolade in the world of life saving.
“He was initially awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Bronze Medal.
“After the award had been made, Major General Christopher Tyler, the secretary of the Royal Humane Society, made an official visit to the scene and, much to the alarm of the chief constable’s staff officer, climbed over the edge of the parapet on the Clifton Suspension Bridge and edged himself to where the incident took place.
“On climbing back, Maj Gen Tyler told the staff officer that the recommendation should have been for a Silver Medal, not a Bronze Medal.
“He was permitted to retain the Bronze Medal as a keepsake. As the recipient of a Silver Medal, he was eligible for consideration for the award of the Stanhope Gold Medal, and this was duly conferred upon him.
“Thus, uniquely, having received all three of the society’s medallic awards then available for the same rescue.”