Name: Police drowning tragedy remembered at memorial despite heavy snow
Uploaded: 2025-01-06T12:29:11.000Z
Duration: 182 s

Video shows a poignant ceremony, as over 100 people braved the sleet and snow to pay tribute to three heroic police officers who died in a sea rescue mission 42 years ago.

Video (click to play above) captures an emotional service honouring three heroic Blackpool police officers who tragically died trying to save a holidaymaker during a storm, 42 years ago.

The poignant ceremony - shown in the video above - was attended by more than 100 people, despite sleet, slow and freezing weather conditions. It was held at the Gynn Square Memorial at Jubilee Gardens, North Shore, close to where the officers died - after volunteers cleared and gritted the grounds to make it safe.

PC Colin Morrison, 38, PC Angela Bradley, 24, and PC Gordon Connolly, 23, tragically lost their lives during the failed sea rescue on January 5 1983.

Paying respects at the Gynn Square memorial service to officers who died in the 1983 rescue mission at Blackpool.|Lucinda Herbert, Blackpool Gazette | National World

They were overwhelmed by bitterly cold waves, whipped up by strong gales, as they attempted to save Scottish holidaymaker Alistair Anthony 25, who had entered the sea to try and save his dog.

Sadly, Alistair also lost his life in the incident, which saw even Fleetwood RNLI struggling to reach the area, so rough were the conditions.

Paying respects at the Gynn Square memorial service to officers who died in the 1983 rescue mission | National World

The service was organised by Blackpool NARPO (National Association of Retired Police Officers), as well as Lancashire Constabulary, Blackpool RNLI, the Friends of Jubilee Gardens and others.

The service, held each year, was attended by friends and family of those who died and saw wreaths being laid at the memorial.

Clearing snow for the Gynn Square memorial service to officers who died in the 1983 rescue mission.|Lucinda Herbert, Blackpool Gazette | Lucinda Herbert, Blackpool Gazette

The memorial, with a plaque bearing the names the officers who died, is located close to the prominent Blue Light Memorial, which honours emergency service staff that has died on duty. Watch the video above.

Police sea rescue tragedy heroes remembered at Gynn Square as snow fails to stop memorial for drowned officers

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