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Queen honours airport attack hero | Queen honours airport attack hero |
(about 12 hours later) | |
A baggage handler who helped tackle terror suspects at Glasgow Airport will be honoured with a special Queen's medal for bravery. | A baggage handler who helped tackle terror suspects at Glasgow Airport will be honoured with a special Queen's medal for bravery. |
John Smeaton, 31, who has already received a number of awards and plaudits, will receive the Queen's Gallantry Medal. | John Smeaton, 31, who has already received a number of awards and plaudits, will receive the Queen's Gallantry Medal. |
The award is given to civilians for acts of bravery. | The award is given to civilians for acts of bravery. |
Mr Smeaton said receiving the medal was "the ultimate" achievement, describing it as an "honour and a half". | Mr Smeaton said receiving the medal was "the ultimate" achievement, describing it as an "honour and a half". |
He became a celebrity after helping to tackle suspects from a burning Jeep which crashed into the airport on 30 June. | He became a celebrity after helping to tackle suspects from a burning Jeep which crashed into the airport on 30 June. |
In no way did I expect this. It's an honour and a half. The ultimate John Smeaton | In no way did I expect this. It's an honour and a half. The ultimate John Smeaton |
"When I got the letter this morning, I couldn't believe it," he said. "I thought, 'What next?' | "When I got the letter this morning, I couldn't believe it," he said. "I thought, 'What next?' |
"I phoned my dad straight away and he was just bewildered, stunned. | "I phoned my dad straight away and he was just bewildered, stunned. |
"In no way did I expect this. It's an honour and a half. The ultimate." | "In no way did I expect this. It's an honour and a half. The ultimate." |
Mr Smeaton said he was still overwhelmed by the news and said he had no plans to celebrate yet. | Mr Smeaton said he was still overwhelmed by the news and said he had no plans to celebrate yet. |
"It hasn't really sunk in yet," he added. "I'm just going with the flow. I'll probably just sit in and chat with the boys. | "It hasn't really sunk in yet," he added. "I'm just going with the flow. I'll probably just sit in and chat with the boys. |
"I just try to get on with my life as normal but you don't know what's around the corner." | "I just try to get on with my life as normal but you don't know what's around the corner." |
Heroic efforts | Heroic efforts |
Mr Smeaton was one of several members of the public and emergency services workers who went to help during the airport attack. | Mr Smeaton was one of several members of the public and emergency services workers who went to help during the airport attack. |
He came to the aid of a police officer and also tackled one of the suspected terrorists. | He came to the aid of a police officer and also tackled one of the suspected terrorists. |
He then moved injured people away from a burning vehicle which could have exploded. | He then moved injured people away from a burning vehicle which could have exploded. |
Following his heroic efforts he has been praised by politicians and public alike. | Following his heroic efforts he has been praised by politicians and public alike. |
He was invited to Downing Street by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and honoured by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. He has also had a website created in his honour. | He was invited to Downing Street by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and honoured by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. He has also had a website created in his honour. |
Meanwhile, two Metropolitan Police explosives officers who risked their lives to disarm car bombs in London in June are also to receive bravery awards. | |
Paul Humphrey will receive the Queen's Gallantry Medal and Gary Wright the Queen's Commendation for Bravery. |
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