Heroic policeman Charlie Guenigault, from Dartford, receives George Medal from the Queen
13:47, 11 October 2018
updated: 10:21, 12 October 2018
A policeman who was stabbed multiple times as he tried to save others in the London Bridge terror attack has received a medal for his bravery.
PC Charlie Guenigault, from Dartford, was awarded the George Medal by the Queen today after he put his life on the line on June 3 last year.
The off-duty officer was on his way home after watching the Champions League final when a group of terrorists drove a van into pedestrians and began to attack members of the public.
The 26-year-old was proud to receive the award in front of his family.
He said: "I am so honoured and humbled to receive the George Medal and I am so glad that I get to receive this in front of my family.”
"I hope that I have done my friends, family, colleagues and the nation proud.
"I would like to thank everyone who has helped me throughout the past year - especially those who helped to save my life."
Speaking about the night of the terror attack, Charlie said: “When I wake up I see the scars on my face, on my body. I know what I did, and I know how I came through it as well.
“Getting through that all the time, it’s always going to be there. There’s no point in trying to hide away from it, you just have to accept it and hopefully it changes you for the better.”
As Mr Guenigault lay on the floor with his injuries, a couple walking by ran to help him.
Ellen Gauntlett and Justin Jones came to his aid after he was stabbed, and stayed with him the whole night.
Mr Guenigault admitted he can’t thank them enough for what they did, saying: “After I had gone to the floor, I was just laying on the floor still conscious and I saw Justin and Ellen come over to me. I told Justin straight away he needs to put his knee on my back to stop any bleeding and told Ellen to call the police.
“They stayed with me there even when gunshots were going off. They took me to hospital and stayed with me in hospital, until they knew I was going to get through it.
“I can’t thank them enough for what they did – to stay there and keep me talking and awake.
“It just shows you don’t have to be a police officer to do something amazing as well.”
Latest news
‘I spend three hours at A&E every other day because my GP can’t see me’
Rolexes and crypto: How dealer selling drugs from bedroom hid ‘massive profits’
Park pledges to reopen iconic cinema building as another blockbuster film lined up
High street’s oldest shop to finally reopen 18 months after roof collapsed
Features
Most popular
- 1
Pedestrian killed in M2 crash involving ‘number of vehicles’
3 - 2
‘This Christmas market is truly magical - but there’s just one problem’
17 - 3
Inside Kent’s newest B&M store in former Wilko
5 - 4
Lorry bursts into flames on roundabout approach
3 - 5
Delays after tank strapped to lorry hits railway bridge
6