A FORMER Swindon police officer who risked his life to save a suicidal woman from the railway tracks has been honoured at the national Police Bravery Awards.

Insp Ian Stevenson, who recently retired from Wiltshire Police, grabbed the woman and wrestled her out of the path of an approaching train in May last year.

His courage was recognised at a ceremony in London on Thursday where he was named the south west regional winner.

Wiltshire Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “Ian is a shining example of bravery and dedication to public safety and I am honoured to have had him as a police colleague.

“Everyone at Wiltshire Police is so proud of Ian and we are glad that his public-spirited actions have been recognised in this way.”

He added: “The recent events in Salisbury and Amesbury have shone a light on the dedication of the police and other emergency services and public servants, and I know the public are incredibly grateful for everything we are doing.

“We have received so many messages of gratitude and support from our local communities and I hope Ian’s story just reinforces the point about how far our officers and staff are willing to go to protect the public.”

Mr Stevenson was with other police searching for the woman who had walked out of her home saying she was going to kill herself.

He spotted her by the line and hearing a long blast on a train horn, realised it was approaching. He crossed the track to get to the woman and moments later the train appeared and she ran onto the track. He grabbed her and got her out of the way seconds before the train passed.