Four heroes hailed with St Andrew’s Awards

Four people who put themselves in danger to help save the lives of others have been honoured for their heroic acts.

The group was handed its 
St Andrew’s Awards by deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon during a ceremony at Bute House, in Edinburgh, yesterday.

Angus Blackburn, from Penicuik, saved a child from a burning house in the Midlothian town in November 2009. He was beaten back by smoke and fumes as he tried to reach the young boy’s bedroom, but eventually pulled him to safety.

Agnes Crystal, from Dundee, took control of a bus to stop it crashing in the city in December last year. The handbrake disengaged after the driver had stepped off and Ms Crystal, who has never had a licence, grabbed the steering wheel and guided it away from an oncoming vehicle and into a barrier.

Darren Crowe, from St Abbs in the Borders, saved a man’s life when he fell into the sea close to the small fishing village in June 2011. He persuaded the man to let go of a rock and hold on to him, before swimming to a lifeboat which picked them up.

Abdul Aziz saved a man from a burning vehicle in January. Mr Aziz was at work close to the busy A90 road near Aberdeen when saw a single-vehicle crash. He broke into the car, which was on fire, and pulled the man to safety through the window.

Ms Sturgeon said: “It is a real privilege to meet these incredibly courageous people whose actions are an inspiration to us all.”