Chris Purkiss, a Winch Paramedic from Lydd’s R163 Coastguard Rescue Helicopter team, received the Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy at the House of Commons as part of the Air League’s Annual Reception Ceremony on 9 July.
In July last year, Chris and his crew were sent to the scene of a wrecked vessel at Newhaven Breakwater. Amid gale conditions, Chris was winched aboard the yacht to rescue a lone yachtsman as the vessel broke up on the rocks. Chris recovered the casualty but was submerged in breaking waves and vessel debris.
With such a deteriorating and urgent situation, the Winch Paramedic could not deploy his rescue strop. Using sheer strength, Chris grasped and held the seafarer until the helicopter could safely drop them both onto the breakwater wall.
George Rawlinson MBE, Award Committee chair said: “This time critical, incredibly demanding rescue was completed despite considerable personal risk. Chris showed, skill, physical strength and mental resilience, risking his own life to save another, while being submerged in breaking seas several times.
“It is a richly deserved award in the best traditions of the maritime rescue service, and he is to be congratulated for his selfless meritorious act of gallantry.”
The Billy Deacon Award is named in memory of Winch Paramedic Billy Deacon, who was tragically lost after rescuing 10 casualties from the vessel Green Lily, which foundered off the Shetland Isles in 1997.
Winch Paramedic Chris said: "I'm enormously proud to receive this award, but this rescue was a real team effort with the guys on the aircraft and the Coastguard Rescue Team on the ground all working together.
“The Winch Operator Andrew Catterall had superb timing and reflexes and saved me from severe injury more than once. He worked really well with Co-Pilot Mark Wielopolski calling timing on the waves to pull me clear and free from entanglement.
“Pilot Chris Trubshaw held his nerve and ran the fuel low to make it all possible. It was a team effort the whole way.”
Assistant Chief Coastguard John Craig said: “Our congratulations go to Chris, who joins an esteemed group of awardees. The Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy is given to exemplary Winch Paramedics who demonstrate skill, determination and bravery through outstanding rescues.
“We’re proud to work alongside Chris, his colleagues and the many teams, crews and individuals that make HM Coastguard a truly exceptional emergency service committed to saving lives at sea.”
The award has been passed down from 2024 awardees Winch Paramedic Carlton Real and Winch Operator Jason Bibby from Newquay Coastguard Rescue Helicopter crew R924, who rescued a casualty in exceptional conditions at Basset’s Cove near Portreath in Cornwall.
