Two Doncaster brothers, Mark and Shaun Longthorne, have been honoured for their bravery after saving lives while volunteering on separate occasions. Both have been recognised by the Royal Humane Society, with Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband praising their selflessness during a recent meeting with The Angling Trust and Doncaster and District Angling Association.
Mark, an Angling Trust volunteer bailiff, acted heroically while on a routine patrol by the River Don. He spotted a man face down in the river and waded in to hold the man’s upper body above the water until emergency services arrived. The man was hospitalised for observations, and Mark’s quick actions are credited with saving his life. The River Don is known for flash floods, which increased the danger of the rescue.
Shaun, a bailiff for Doncaster and District Angling Association, encountered a similarly perilous situation. While on patrol, he saw a man sitting on the edge of a bridge, his feet dangling over the railway line 100 feet below. Shaun contacted South Yorkshire Police and cautiously approached the man. During their brief conversation, the man suddenly lunged forward, but Shaun was able to grab him and pull him back over the railings, preventing a tragic fall. He kept the man safe until police arrived.
Both brothers have received Royal Humane Society awards for their bravery, thanks to nominations by The Angling Trust. Shaun and Mark’s acts of courage did not go unnoticed by local officials, with MP Ed Miliband saying: “It was an honour to meet Shaun and Mark Longthorne and present them with their Royal Humane Society awards. They acted in a truly heroic way, with great selflessness and bravery. Their awards are thoroughly deserved.”
Kevin Woodcock, Regional Enforcement Support Manager for The Angling Trust, also praised the brothers, stating: “There are anglers and there are bailiffs, but it’s rare to find those who are both, and who also happen to be brothers, that have gone above and beyond, putting themselves in harm’s way to save the lives of others. Knowing them both personally as Voluntary Bailiffs, it was my pleasure to nominate Mark and Shaun.”
The Longthorne brothers’ quick thinking and courage have made them local heroes, embodying the spirit of service and dedication to their community.
