Littlehampton Somerfield stab heroes honoured

As they were presented with Police Public Bravery Awards, each said that it was the 21-year-old victim, and not themselves, who deserved to be called a hero.

Lucy Yates, who had moved to the town just days before, was stabbed more than 20 times by schizophrenic Samuel Reid-Wentworth in

Somerfield, Anchor Springs, Littlehampton, on September 16.

Life-savers

Lewes Crown Court was later told that she would almost certainly have died, if it had not been for the actions of staff and shoppers on the day.

Kirk Lord, a Somerfield security guard, supervisor Janet Sharrod, cashier Eric Standing, manager Duncan Todd, shoppers Bonnie Brown, Alexis Warne and Bob Apps, and trader Ivor Holland, who responded to a ShopWatch emergency call, were honoured at a ceremony held at Arun Civic Centre, Littlehampton, on Tuesday.

Alexis was shopping at the time, and said her limited first aid training had kicked in, when she saw the blood.

"I saw that she needed help, so I went and helped. I went into overdrive, and did what I had to do," she said.

Click here to read how Kirk Lord and Janet Sharrod tackled Lucy's attacker.

Click here to read how Bonnie Brown pulled Lucy free.

Overdrive

"It wasn't until afterwards, when Lucy was taken away in the ambulance, that what had happened sunk in, and I just started shaking."

ShopWatch member Ivor, who was one of the first on the scene to administer first aid, agreed.

"We are trained to deal with any situation. As soon as I heard the call come over the radio, I left, and did what had to be done.