Justin Biggs

Justin showed true bravery through his actions. Whilst paddling his surf ski around Cardiff Bay he came across a car upside down in the water near Cardiff Bay Yacht club.

When local bystanders told him there was someone in the car, he quickly leapt into action, leaving behind his surf ski and paddle to enter the water and try to gain entry to the car and help those trapped inside. Knee deep in mud and chest deep in water, he struggled to open the car, only gaining access to the rear passenger door.

Once open he could see the head of an unconscious person face down in the water and heard a second person actively drowning. He managed to roll the front seat backward enough to make space to enter underwater into the car.

He pulled out the first person, a lady who had been trapped in the drivers seat struggling to stay above the water. Justin held her above the water whilst heading back into the car to pull her husband out.

Unable to let go of either person for long and facing a 200m wade through mud and water, Justin carried out what little CPR he could. After several rounds of chest compressions and coaching the wife to carry out rescue breaths, the husband opened his eyes.

Local members of the yacht club arrived to help move the husband and wife to the shore where firefighters, ambulance and police were waiting to assist.

Two very lucky people are still alive today because of the selfless action taken by Justin at the risk of his own life.