TWO teenage girls, a lorry driver and a police officer have been recognised for their bravery. Katrina Blundell and Hannah Warden received the Hertfordshire Constabulary Award for their part in attempting to save the life of a fellow teenager in November

TWO teenage girls, a lorry driver and a police officer have been recognised for their bravery.

Katrina Blundell and Hannah Warden received the Hertfordshire Constabulary Award for their part in attempting to save the life of a fellow teenager in November 2007.

The girls aged 14 at the time had spent the evening with friends and asked one of them, Christopher Owen-Jones, to walk them home.

On their way they came across a group of people off Broadwater Crescent, Stevenage, one of whom approached Christopher asking for a telephone number which he did not have.

Christopher, 19, was then assaulted and left unconscious. Katrina and Hannah spoke with the emergency services and between them began life-saving techniques as instructed by the call taker until the ambulance service arrived. Sadly, Christopher later died.

Chief Constable Frank Whiteley, who presented the award, said: "Both girls were affected by what they witnessed. However, they remained strong and brave throughout. Katrina and Hannah showed outstanding maturity during this tragic incident and were of great assistance to the police."

John Farley, a 62-year-old lorry driver from Stevenage, was also presented with an award for his actions following a road traffic collision in Welwyn Garden City in the early hours of June 19, 2007.

A police car containing two officers was in a head-on crash with a VW Polo and caught alight.

The officers were trapped and Mr Farley helped to pull them clear of the vehicle. He also went to the Polo which was smoking but the driver had died.

Chief Constable Whiteley said: "Mr Farley showed extreme bravery in approaching the burning car, then rescuing officers. He acted without any thought for his own safety, he approached a car which he had no idea was about to blow up. Time and again people just drive past. I think what he did was simply amazing."

Metropolitan police constable Neil Miles, 31, received a Chief Constable's Commendation.

He was on the way to his Upper Caldecote home from work in August 2008 when he became caught up in the aftermath of an accident on the A1(M) near the Stevenage South junction.

While sitting in his car there was a three-lorry crash immediately behind him and one of the drivers was trapped in his crushed cab.

Pc Miles took control of the situation, directing traffic and going to the wrecked cab which was steaming and smoking with fuel pouring from underneath it. He managed to get his head through the windscreen and talk to the driver, reassuring him that help was on the way. Sadly, the man later died.