Award for van man who helped stab victim

A VAN driver who went to the rescue of a woman who was viciously stabbed in Worle High Street has received a bravery award.

Michael Morgan, aged 51, was completing his deliveries at around 7.30am when he saw two bicycles riding towards him on the wrong side of the road in April last year.

He then saw the male cyclist push the female cyclist off her bike and attack her.

Without a thought for his safety Mr Morgan ran over to them and pushed the attacker, Roland Jones, off the woman, Kelly Parker.

He did not realise it at the time, but Jones had been armed with a knife and had stabbed the woman no fewer than four times.

One of the blows severed Kelly's spinal cord leaving her paralysed from the chest down for the rest of her life.

Roland Jones was sentenced for attempted murder following an earlier guilty plea at Bristol Crown Court last year.

He received an indefinite term of imprisonment with a minimum tariff set at nine years.

The judge praised Mr Morgan's actions saying: "He acted admirably in the circumstances and it is refreshing to see a member of the public acting in such a fashion."

Kelly herself has also praised Mr Morgan's actions and is delighted he is receiving an award. She said: "Without Mr Morgan having rescued me I would be dead."

Chief superintendent Kay Wozniak, North Somerset's district commander, said: "This was a selfless act of bravery, which without doubt saved Kelly's live."

Michael Morgan, from Bristol, will receive his Waley Cohen award at a ceremony at police headquarters in Portishead on Thursday.

The award is given by the police to members of the public for their service in support of law and order.