Officer who died while trying to rescue a drowning man

PC Colin Morrison died on January 5, 1983, along with two other officers as they tried to rescue a drowning man.

The 38-year-old was born in 1944 in Blackpool and worked for Lancashire Constabulary.

At about 1.50 pm on Wednesday 5th January 1983, 10 minutes prior to the end of their shift, Constables Colin Morrison, Angela Bradley and Gordon Connolly, together with other officers responded to an emergency call to a man in difficulties having entered the sea to rescue his dog near Gynn Square Blackpool.

The weather was stormy and the sea icy cold with huge waves battering against the sea wall. Forming a human chain and using ropes and lifebelts the officers attempted to save the life of the drowning man.

Swept away by the waves, within ten minutes these officers and others were in difficulties in the water and despite attempts to help each other and ongoing rescue attempts by other officers, all three were lost.

The three officers were jointly posthumously awarded the Constabulary's William Garnett Cup for the most gallant deed of the year.

Memorial plaques were erected near the scene and at Constabulary and Divisional Headquarters.

Colin had 19 years service and had worked on the Traffic Department at Blackpool for 10 years.

He was survived by his wife, two sons aged 14 and 3 and two daughters aged 13 and 8.