Lyneham
Officer Receives Award from Royal Humane Society
Royal Air Force Lyneham
www.raf.mod.uk/raflyneham
20th July 2006
An RAF medical support worker who gave
emergency care to the injured during the 7 July London
bombings has been awarded a medal for bravery. Wg Cdr Staniforth,
42, who is currently OC Tactical Medical Wing based at RAF
Lyneham Craig Staniforth was presented with a Royal
Humane Society award in recognition of his “remarkable
and highly professional” actions following the 7/7 terrorist
attack on the London Underground.
Wing Commander Craig Staniforth was on a tube train approaching
Edgware Road as the bomber struck the train travelling in
the opposite direction. Both trains were halted and on seeing
the devastation in the carriage that had drawn to a stop directly
opposite the train he was travelling on, Wg Cdr Staniforth
and a couple of other passengers tried to force the doors
of their carriage open but failed.
As he entered the devastated train he found himself in the
carriage only feet from the crater caused by the explosion.
It was almost completely dark, full of smoke and the air thick
with dust. He saw many casualties, one who had fallen into
the crater; he was especially conscious that he only had his
briefcase with him (he did not want to leave it on his train
for fear that it could be reported as an improvised explosive
device!).
Professor John Tulloch, for whom lifesaving assistance was
administered, was later to praise Wing Commander Staniforth
for his outstanding courage, professionalism and commented
that his actions were, “exemplary and certainly had
a dramatic and positive effect on him personally”.
The award came as a total surprise to Wing Commander Craig
Staniforth who believed he had been invited to attend the
ceremony to watch some of his personnel receive their awards.
On receiving the award Wing Commander Staniforth said: “I
am proud and honoured to receive such a prestigious award”.
RAF Lyneham are very proud of Wing Commander Staniforth and
feel the award is great recognition of his professional actions
on that dreadful day.
Pictures:
Top: Wing Commander
Craig Staniforth RAF (Officer Commanding Tactical Medical
Wing) with his Royal Humane Society Award 20th July 2006
Middle From
L to R: Mr Julian Spicer (Chairperson of the Royal Humane
Society), Wing Commander Craig Staniforth RAF (Officer Commanding
Tactical Medical Wing), Lady Cosgrave (Member of the Royal
Humane Society) and the Station Commander Group Captain Paul
Atherton RAF
Bottom: Wg
Cdr Staniforth was reunited with Mr Tulloch who has made remarkable
progress in his 6 day stay in St Mary's Hospital Paddington. |
