A DUNDEE firefighter is to receive an award for helping save the life of his colleague who suffered serious head injuries in a crash.
Andrew Sangster, 47, who works at Macalpine Road Fire Station, was cycling home to Alyth with his colleague and friend Gavin Brown, 38, of Meikleour, when they were involved in a crash with a car.
On that evening in September last year, it had been a warm day and they decided to take a long route back from Dundee, rather than their usual route.
Gavin was struck by the car just outside of Bridgefoot and suffered horrendous head injuries, which knocked him unconscious.
Andrew initially thought his friend was dead, but leapt to his aid and prevented Gavin from choking on his own blood.
After the emergency services were called, Gavin was rushed to hospital and went on to make a remarkable recovery, returning to work just a matter of months later.
Now, Andrew is set to be awarded a Royal Humane Society certificate of commendation for his bravery and skill for helping Gavin.
He said: “It’s all been a bit out of the blue winning this as it happened in September 2014, but it’s nice thing to receive.
“We had just been cycling home from work, it was a lovely night and we went the long way home.
“I normally never deviate from the route I take, but it was just that one time I did.
“Gavin had a horrific head injury and he was bleeding profusely.
“Luckily I had just been on a first aid refresher course, so I had the chance to do what I had learnt for real.
“I had to stem the bleeding and keep him calm as he was unconscious to begin with, but then he woke up and said he just wanted to go home.”
But despite Andrew’s actions, he claims Gavin is the real hero.
He said: “Gavin has made a full recovery and the doctors and surgeons were really impressed by how he has done.
“I think he is the brave one. He was actually back cycling to work again about four months later.
“I’d like the think if roles were reversed he would have done the exact same.
“I think anybody would have done all they could.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who recommended that Andrew should receive an award, said although he had suffered from shock, he still turned up for work the following day.
They added in their recommendation: “There is no doubt that without the intervention of Andy and his handling of the situation that this may have had a different outcome.”
No date has yet been fixed for presentation of the award but it is expected to take place in the near future.