Woman pays tribute to Bravery Awards nominees for ‘life-changing’ rescue

10 July 2024

The woman saved from drowning in her flooded car by three West Mercia Police Federation officers has sent her support to the officers ahead of the 2024 national Police Bravery Awards.

Last year, Annie Nisbet was pulled from the vehicle in critical measures led by Constable Tom Simmonds, Sergeant Lee Baker and Sergeant Shannon Murphy as it rapidly sank in floodwater at a ford of Bow Brook, Worcestershire.

The trio have since been nominated for the Bravery Awards, with the ceremony taking place tomorrow (Thursday 11 July) in London.

Annie said: “I am still completely astounded by what Tom, Lee and Shannon did for me that day. Without thought or concern for their own safety, they immediately got into the water and didn’t stop at anything to reach me. That level of selflessness is nothing short of incredible.”

Heavy rainfall

On the morning of 25 April 2023, Annie was driving to her brother’s house when she encountered the ford, swamped after heavy rainfall. Despite stopping short of the water, her car was swept up from beneath, and within a matter of minutes, had filled up inside to the level of her neck.

Annie revealed that as police arrived on the scene, with the car nose-down and almost fully submerged in the ford, she had given up hope of survival.

She recalled: “I had my head against the roof and I thought to myself, ‘no one’s coming, are they?’

“I was hysterical before, but at this point, I felt a sense of calm. I was resigned to the fact I was going to die.

Annie Nisbet was pulled from the a vehicle.

“Just as that was going on in my mind, I was surrounded by a troop of heroes. It’s a miracle they even found me – I know they struggled at first [to locate the car].”

In a race against time, PC Tom smashed the driver-side front window of the sinking vehicle, with its electrical system having been disabled by the volume of internal water long before. A human chain of Lee, Shannon and four other officers had been formed to enable Tom to gain a footing on the unstable bed of the ford and access the window and Annie, who was then retrieved and passed along the chain to safety.

Following a full recovery, Annie now lives every day in gratitude for her rescue, which came soon after she had moved back to her hometown of Malvern, Worcestershire, having lived in the USA for 42 years.

She said: “It has changed my life and my outlook on many things. Shortly after returning to the UK, I have been reminded of how amazing our police are. There can never been enough appreciation for what they do and the lives they save. I am confident there are countless other incredible acts of service like this one.”

“With that said, I hope Tom, Lee and Shannon win at the Awards, of course. They deserve all the recognition in the world.”

Distressing

Camera footage of the incident has since featured on BBC’s Crimewatch Live.

Annie continued: “Watching the video was so distressing, but it affirmed the level of danger I and the officers were in. It hit home to me how mind-boggling it all was – the position of the car and the high level of water. But with no hesitation, and absolute determination, they implemented an action plan.

“In such a dire situation, it was an astonishing commitment to humanity and to life. They are heroes,” she ended.

Secretary of West Mercia Police Federation Pete Nightingale, who will be joining the nominees at this year's event, has paid tribute to all the officers who helped save Annie's life.

"It's heartwarming to hear such admiration for our officers from Annie - I'm sure her kind words won't go unnoticed by this year's Bravery Award nominees," he said.

"Having watched the footage myself, it's clear it was a real team effort that morning, and I'd like to pay tribute to all the police officers who put their own lives at risk by forming a human chain and saving Annie's life.

"They are each a real credit to policing, and I wish the three cops nominated from West Mercia all the luck in the world at this year's event."

The 2024 national Police Bravery Awards will be held tomorrow (Thursday 11 July) in London. You can read more on Tom, Lee and Shannon’s nomination here.