The brave sacrifice of three police officers who died in the sea 42 years ago was remembered at a poignant ceremony - despite the most severe snowfall Blackpool has seen in decades.
Angela Bradley, 24, Gordon Alexander Connolly, 23, and Colin Morrison, 38, tragically drowned - along with Scottish holidaymaker Alistair Anthony amid terrible waves during a winter storm in 1983.
On Jan 05, 2025, police and emergency services, friends and families gathered to remember the brave officers who sacrificed their lives in the tragic event.
Angela Bradley, 24, Gordon Alexander Connolly, 23, and Colin Morrison, 38, tragically drowned - along with Scottish holidaymaker Alistair Anthony amid terrible waves during a winter storm in 1983.
On Jan 05, 2025, police and emergency services, friends and families gathered to remember the brave officers who sacrificed their lives in the tragic event.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Wednesday the 5th of January 1983 saw a harrowing incident that forever marked the history of Lancashire Constabulary.
00:09What followed during this incident impacted on many colleagues, the wider constabulary and the community of Blackpool and the Fylde Coast.
00:18Today's memorial event allows us all to pause, reflect and remember the four individuals who sadly lost their lives during this incident.
00:28PC Gordon Connolly, PC Colin Morrison and PC Angela Bradley paid the ultimate sacrifice epitomising policing by their courage of running towards a clear danger and forsaking their safety to try and save another.
00:48We remember Police Constable Colin Morrison.
00:52We remember Police Constable Gordon Connolly.
01:00We remember Women Police Constable Angela Bradley.
01:06I hope that today's ceremony gives you a chance to reflect on the time spent with those who you have lost and yet who are still in your hearts.
01:18Tales have been told of bravery, heroes paying the ultimate price, each time the blue line dims a little.
01:26Towards danger they marched, hoping to save others, in the end their lives were lost, never to be forgotten.
01:34Before that shift their fate was unknown, leaving loved ones at home. United here today, united in uniform and united by loss, end of tour came too soon.
01:44Learning from the past, looking to the future, inspiring our generation and those to come, now it is our turn to carry the torch, ensuring the blue line continues to grow.
02:15Thank you Police Federation.
02:29National Association of Retired Police Officers, Blackburn and Belfast.
02:44I pass to you Rachel.