[L-R: Special Constable Mark Lee, PC Abigail Jenkins-Murphy and PC Robbie Higgins

Four officers who tried to save a man from a burning car after he was reported as missing have all received nominations for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025.

PCs Ryan Blair-Baggs, Robbie Higgins and Abigail Jenkins-Murphy along with Special Constable Mark Lee sustained injuries, including burns, as they attempted to bring the man to safety.

The four officers were part of the search for a missing 63-year-old man from the Cwmbran area on Friday 10 November 2023.

PC Blair-Baggs was the officer who first located the car owned by the missing person at a golf course in Cwmbran.

As the officer approached the car and speaking to the man inside to provide support and reassurance to him, the car ignited.

Joined by PC Higgins, PC Jenkins-Murphy and SC Lee, these four officers managed to get the man out of the car before attempting to extinguishing the fire.

Conscious of the risks posed by the car, including that it may explode, these officers worked tirelessly to keep everyone safe, including other officers who attended and the man who was pulled from the burning car.

He was taken to hospital in Swansea for treatment, where he sadly later died from his injuries sustained in the fire.

Gwent Police Federation Chair Matthew Candy said: “Ryan, Robbie, Abigail, and Mark are shining examples of the courage, bravery, and teamwork that police officers display every day in doing their job.

“They risked their own safety in a desperate bid to rescue the person from a burning vehicle and save their life.

“And even as the flames intensified and they were called back for their own safety, the courageous officers continued battling to put the flames out and to get the person to safety.

“While there was ultimately a sad outcome, the four officers can be proud of their efforts and are thoroughly deserving of their bravery award nomination.

“They are a huge credit to the force and to policing and we wish them well at the awards.”

Gwent Police Chief Constable Mark Hobrough said: “Firstly our thoughts remain with the family of the man who died following the injuries he sustained in this fire.

“Our officers regularly attend calls which are highly dangerous, like this one, and put themselves at risk to do all they can to preserve life and keep the public safe from harm.

“These four officers showed not only their courageousness but quick thinking to consider the ongoing risks to their colleagues in this dynamic emergency scenario as they rescued the man from the car.

“I am proud to nominate these four people for the National Police Bravery Awards and I wish them all the best with their nomination ahead of the ceremony.”