CONGRATULATIONS to Dorian Lewis and Mark Allen from our Highways team who won the Community Bravery Award at this year’s West Wales Community Awards.

Dorian and Mark were first on the scene and along with colleagues James Griffiths and Wayne Jones rescued a driver whose lorry had been swept by a landslide in to the Afon Duad River along the A484 at Cwmduad during Storm Callum, bravely pulling him from his vehicle and forming a human chain to bring him to safety.

The landslide tragically claimed the life of a young man, Corey Sharpling.

Dorian, who attended the awards ceremony, said: “It meant a lot to us to be nominated and to go on and win. We didn’t do what we did to win an award, we did it to save a life, unfortunately, we were unable to save one life that day. It was an emotional evening, reliving that time again.”

Mark added: “Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend the awards, but we definitely weren’t expecting to be nominated or to win! Although it is lovely to have, this isn’t why we did what we did.”

Head of Transportation and Highways, Stephen Pilliner, said: “All the teams in the environment department work hard to deliver essential services to our customers. Following the devastating storm Callum many staff members worked tirelessly to help our communities in the clear up. However a special mention must be made for Dorian Lewis and Mark Allen whose brave actions saved other lives and I am very proud that this has been recognised in the West Wales Community Awards.”

The pair were recognised for their bravery at the awards evening held in Parc y Scarlets on May 24.