Bravery awards for Wiston bus crash officers

They waded into a raging river in the darkness and heavy snow in search of survivors of the horrific school bus crash which claimed the life of a Lanark Grammar student.

Cumbernauld PC Mark Grant (34) was awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Parchment.

His colleagues, PCs Russell Davidson, (44) from Bellshill, Andrew King (41) from East Kilbride, and James Sheen (54) from Wishaw, have been awarded Certificates of Commendation, for their rescue efforts on March 31 last year.

And a fifth road policing officer, PC Colin Baird (49) from Carluke, who assumed command of the incident until the arrival of a supervisor, has already received a High Commendation from the Chief Constable.

Chief Inspector Stewart Carle of Motherwell's Road Policing Department said: "The swift actions of the first police officers on the scene were undoutedly very brave.

"The public should be reassured that they have officers of such high calibre patrolling our roads and ready to come to their rescue."

For more information on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.