TWO fire officers have received Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's top award for bravery after saving a Whittingham man who was drowning in a grain silo.

Firefighter Steve Rogerson, based at Blackburn Fire station, and sub officer Mick Spencer, of St Annes fire station, were presented with the award this week after saving a farmer Anthony Clarkson from dying in his grain silo at Wayside Farm, Back Lane, Whittingham.

Mr Clarkson had climbed into the silo to unblock the flow of chicken feed out of the silo. He slipped, and fell up to his neck in the feed, which, because it is granular, flows like liquid when it is stored in bulk.

The resulting fire brigade rescue lasted three hours.

During the daring operation, which could have cost both firefighters their lives, the duo lowered themselves down to Mr Clarkson on ropes secured to the cage of an aerial ladder platform positioned above the top hatch of the silo.

They both wore breathing apparatus to combat the dusty atmosphere inside the vessel, and carried a spare set for the distressed Mr Clarkson.

Mr Clarkson was then attached to a harness to prevent him slipping further into the feed, which involved moving some of the feed and creating the risk that all the feed could move, risking all three men inside.

Once he was secure, officers outside the tank cut a hole in the bottom to allow the grain to drain away. Remarkably, Mr Clarkson made a rapid recovery following a check-up.

Speaking at the awards ceremony on Monday night, which was held at Preston Fire Station, Mr Rogerson said: "It was the most difficult job I've done in 14 years in the service. We were in the silo for three hours.

"The grain was heaped up above him and the trickiest part was stopping everything coming down on top of him."

The men will be presented with commendations from the Chief Fire Officer Peter Holland for their bravery and professional expertise.

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